Women may soon be able to cut costs when it comes to preventative healthcare thanks to a proposed amendment to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to The New York Times.

The senate passed the amendment on Thursday, which was proposed by Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, a Democrat from Maryland. The legislation would require health insurance companies to provide free mammograms to women, and also suggests making free birth control available as well, according to the news source.

"My amendment would eliminate one of the major barriers to care by getting rid of high co-payments and deductibles," Mikulski explained to the source. "It does not tell women, 'You will have a mammogram at 40.' It says, 'You will have access to that mammogram if you and your doctor decide it’s medically necessary or medically appropriate.'"

The vote came as the Institute of Medicine released a report stating that highlighted gaps in the availability of preventative services for women. The IOM suggests that services such as increased contraceptive education and methods and counseling for sexually transmitted diseases should be made available.