Things the HHS does NOT mandate

1)  From the HHS website: "HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is joining with the Ad Council to launch a new nationwide public service advertising (PSA) campaign called “Together We Can All Fight the Flu.” “Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your family against the H1N1 flu virus,” said Secretary Sebelius.  “Fighting the flu is a shared responsibility, and it is up to all of us to help prevent the spread of the flu in your community.  Right now, Americans have a window of opportunity to get vaccinated.  These new PSAs will encourage pregnant women, children, young adults, and other priority groups to protect themselves by getting the H1N1 vaccine.”

The HHS has not mandated that the shot be covered


2)  Mammorgams.  From the HHS website: "In October, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we remember those who have lost their lives to breast cancer, and those who are battling it now, by recommitting ourselves to their fight and spreading the word of the importance of prevention and early detection.  Because of the Affordable Care Act, it’s a new day for women’s health and the fight against breast cancer.  Budgets are tight, and even moderate copays can deter many women from getting those important screenings.  Because of the Affordable Care Act – the health care law signed by President Obama two years ago – many private health plans and Medicare now cover mammograms and certain other preventive services with no copays or other out-of-pocket costs."

sidebar question here - what does Obamacare do to move the needle from many insurers covering it before Obamacare to still having many cover it now? Many covered it before Obamacare, and many cover it now! 

Regardless...the HHS has not mandated that mammograms be covered


3)  From the HHS website: "Nearly 26 million Americans are affected by Asthma, including 7 million children, especially minority children and children with family incomes below the poverty level. Asthma rates of African American children are currently at 16 percent, while 16.5 percent of Puerto Rican children suffer from the chronic respiratory disease, more than double the rate of Caucasian children in the United States. The annual economic cost of asthma, including direct medical costs from hospital stays and indirect costs such as lost school and work days, amounts to approximately $56 billion."

The HHS has not mandated that asthma meds be covered


4)  From the HHS website: "Last year, 45.9 million adult Americans had a mental illness, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health. These conditions affect individuals, their families and loved ones, and communities.  Unfortunately, many individuals do not receive needed services and treatment."

The HHS has not mandated that mental health medicine be covered


5)  From the HHS website: "Right now, half of those Americans with high blood pressure still don’t have it adequately controlled. African Americans are at particular risk—often having more severe hypertension, and developing it at younger ages.  Each year, more than 795,000 Americans have a stroke and more than 130,000 people in the United States die every year after a stroke—an average of one stroke-related death every 4 minutes.  Together, the financial costs of high blood pressure and stroke are staggering.

The HHS has not mandated that blood pressure medicine be covered



But...contraceptives/sterilizations/abortion causing drugs...we got you covered here in the USA.