"Contraceptives are part of a package of women’s preventive health care services under the Affordable Care Act -- including screening for diabetes, counseling about sexually transmitted diseases and breast feeding support -- that must be provided without deductibles or co-pays in all new policies beginning Aug. 1" (http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2012/February/27/five-questions-health-law-mandate-birth-control.aspx)

I'm not sure what "all new policies" means...like, my policy just got renewed, so maybe I have to wait until next summer when it is renewed again to get free BC? That part's confusing to me. (And anyway, I won't be getting it because my employer is a religious exception or whatever, boo.)

In any case, *something* kicks into effect on Aug. 1!