MSLGROUP announced it will assist HealthyWomen to give American women a voice in the debate over legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  According to a release, HealthyWomen will receive pro bono public affairs support from MSLGROUP’s Washington office “to mount a national campaign that raises awareness of the 26 women’s preventive health services now covered under most insurance plans and the importance to women, families and the health system of maintaining this coverage. 

“Called Keep the Care, the campaign will also equip the American public and women’s health stakeholders with the advocacy tools to press lawmakers and insurers to ensure continued coverage of women’s preventive care, such as Pap smears and mammograms, without a co-payment, co-insurance or a deductible.

““MSLGROUP welcomes the opportunity to work with HealthyWomen to inform and activate women as champions for their improved health,” said Michael J. Petruzzello, Managing Director of Qorvis MSLGROUP, the firm’s public affairs arm. “This partnership allows us to create an integrated public affairs and advocacy campaign that will elevate a policy issue that is important to the American public, the many women working at MSLGROUP and our clients whose brands touch women’s lives.”

“Under current law, insurers now cover preventive care services and screenings for pregnant women, women of childbearing age and women in later stages of life. These services include: well women visits, contraception, Pap smears, mammograms, colonoscopies, HIV and HPV testing, breast feeding support and supplies, gestational diabetes screening, STD and urinary tract infection screenings, BRCA testing and breast cancer chemoprevention counseling, osteoporosis screening and tobacco use interventions.

““Empowering Americans to advocate for continued coverage of women’s preventive services couldn’t be more important to the health and well-being of women and families,” said Beth Battaglino, a practicing registered nurse and CEO of HealthyWomen. “MSLGROUP’s creativity and expertise will allow HealthyWomen to create the sense of urgency needed to put this issue on the public’s radar. We are honored to work with MSLGROUP in support of better women’s health.”

““Prior to the ACA, more than 50 percent of women delayed seeking preventive care due to the cost, underscoring the need for advocacy to ensure women have continued access to guaranteed preventive health services,” explained Phyllis Greenberger, HealthyWomen’s Senior Vice President for Science and Health Policy. “Our objective for this campaign is to educate policymakers that preventive care promotes health and saves money, and should remain a covered benefit for all women.””