Dem Women’s Caucus Statement on FDA Approval of Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill

First-Ever Approval of Over-The-Counter Oral Contraception to Help Millions, Save Lives

Washington D.C. – Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Lois Frankel issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcing the first-ever approval of an over-the-counter birth control pill.

“The first-ever approval of an over-the-counter birth control pill is a huge step forward for women across the country. This marks a watershed moment for access to oral contraception, and it will make a world of difference for patients who struggle to find the time or money to visit a doctor to get a prescription for the birth control they need.

“Yet with reproductive rights under non-stop attack by extreme far-right Republicans, we cannot let up on our fight to make sure every woman can access the reproductive care that works best for her. That’s why we’re pushing so hard to codify the right to birth control into law and ensure that patients can access the medications they need at no cost, including over-the-counter contraceptives.”

The DWC has led the charge in Congress pushing for legislation and executive action to expand and protect access to birth control. In March, the DWC led a letter pushing the Biden Administration to explicitly require health plans to cover, without cost-sharing, every unique FDA-approved contraceptive product, including over-the-counter contraceptives.

Since then, the Biden Administration issued an executive order on June 23rd to strengthen contraceptive coverage for veterans, service members, federal employees, and for patients enrolled in Affordable Care Act and Medicare health care plans.   

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