Biden administration proposes expanded free contraception coverage

[Lauren Taylor]

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS LOOKING TO EXPAND CONTRACEPTION COVERAGE UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

IN A NEW RULE PROPOSED MONDAY BY THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, LABOR AND TREASURY DEPARTMENTS PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO FULLY COVER THE COST OF OVER-THE-COUNTER BIRTH CONTROL, INCLUDING DAILY PILLS, CONDOMS AND “THE MORNING AFTER” PILL.

CURRENTLY, PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE REQUIRED TO COVER THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION CONTRACEPTION.

IN A PRESS RELEASE, THE WHITE HOUSE SAID:

“FOLLOWING THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE, DANGEROUS AND EXTREME ABORTION BANS ARE PUTTING WOMEN’S HEALTH AND LIVES AT RISK AND DISRUPTING ACCESS TO CRITICAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES, INCLUDING CONTRACEPTION, AS HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ARE FORCED TO CLOSE IN STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.”

THE NEW RULE PROPOSAL COMES JUST OVER TWO WEEKS FROM THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

SINCE THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE V WADE IN 2022 ABORTION HAS BECOME A KEY ISSUE IN THE 2024 ELECTION.

NEARLY HALF OF STATES HAVE ENACTED RESTRICTIONS OR A TOTAL BAN ON THE PROCEDURE. MAJORITY OF THE STATES ARE REPUBLICAN-LED.

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS HAS PROMISED TO EXPAND WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, SAYING ABORTION BANS ARE DANGEROUS FOR WOMEN WHILE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS PROPOSED THE GOVERNMENT PAY FOR IVF TREATMENT AND SAID ABORTION RIGHTS SHOULD BE UP TO STATES.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THERE WILL BE 60-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND IF THE NEW RULE IS FINALIZED IT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT IN 2025.