(Washington, D.C.) - Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus cheered today as 140,400 Montana women gained access to new preventive services covered by their health insurance plans with no out-of-pocket costs.

"Each one of these 140,400 women is a mother, daughter, wife, sister or friend who deserves access to the very best health care choices. Today is a win for all Montana women and their families," Baucus said.

The new health care law requires insurance companies to cover preventive services for women at no additional out-of-pocket costs for all new health plans starting on or after August 1, 2012. A report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates about 47 million women nationwide and 140,400 Montana women have insurance plans that will be required to cover the new services (Full Report).

*New preventive services covered as of today include:u Well-woman visits

u Domestic violence screening and counseling

u Gestational diabetes screening that helps protect pregnant women from one of the most serious pregnancy-related diseases

u FDA-approved contraceptive methods, and contraceptive education and counseling

u Breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling

u HPV DNA testing, for women 30 or older

Read this original document at: http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1103