WASHINGTON — In a significant move to enhance women’s health care access, the White House proposed a new rule on Monday that would enable millions of people with private health insurance to obtain over-the-counter contraceptive methods—such as condoms, the “morning after” pill, and birth control pills—at no cost.
Currently, health insurers are mandated to cover the expenses of prescribed contraceptives, including prescription birth control and condoms that have been prescribed by a doctor. However, this new proposal aims to broaden that coverage, allowing insured individuals to pick up free condoms, birth control pills, or emergency contraceptives from local pharmacies and storefronts without needing a prescription.
The proposal comes just days before Election Day and aligns with Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign focus on expanding women’s health care access in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn nationwide abortion rights two years ago. Harris aims to distinguish herself from her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, who appointed several judges responsible for that ruling.
“The proposed rule we announce today would expand access to birth control at no additional cost for millions of consumers,” stated Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Bottom line: women should have control over their personal health care decisions. And issuers and providers have an obligation to comply with the law.”
Among the emergency contraceptives that would be available at no cost under private insurance is levonorgestrel, commonly known by the brand name “Plan B.” Currently, without a doctor’s prescription, women may pay up to $50 for a pack of these pills. Delaying the purchase to obtain a prescription could hinder the pill’s effectiveness, as it is most effective within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.
The proposed rule would also require insurers to fully cover the cost of the Opill, a once-daily over-the-counter birth control pill that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved last year. A one-month supply of Opill typically costs around $20.
Federal mandates for private health insurance to cover contraceptive care were first established under the Affordable Care Act, which required plans to cover the costs of FDA-approved birth control prescribed by a doctor as a preventive service.
It’s important to note that this proposed rule would not affect individuals on Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income Americans. States largely determine their own Medicaid rules regarding contraceptive coverage, with few states covering over-the-counter options such as Plan B or condoms.
As the proposal moves forward, it is likely to spark discussions on reproductive rights and health care access in the lead-up to the elections, further intensifying the focus on women’s health issues.