Following Push from Democratic Women’s Caucus, Biden Administration Announces Contraception Executive Order

Washington D.C. – Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus Lois Frankel issued the following statement applauding President Biden’s executive order to strengthen access to contraception. The executive order directs a range of agencies to work to ensure women with private insurance have their contraception covered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) protections, strengthens coverage of contraception through Medicare, and strengthens coverage of contraception for veterans, service members, and federal employees.

The action comes after the Democratic Women’s Caucus led efforts urging the Biden Administration to do more to ensure that insurers follow the law and comply with the ACA contraception coverage requirements that guarantee women can get FDA-approved birth control products without out-of-pocket costs. In March, DWC members penned a letter to Biden highlighting “systemic noncompliance” of the ACA contraception coverage requirements, and urging the Administration to act to ensure the insurers follow the law.

“Reproductive rights are under attack like never before, and the last thing anyone needs is an uphill battle to afford the birth control that works best for them. The Democratic Women’s Caucus understands that birth control is essential health care, plain and simple—and that’s why we’ve pushed so hard for action to ensure that women get their contraception covered without extra costs,” said DWC Chair Frankel.

“We’re grateful to see this important step forward from the Biden Administration. This executive action will help more women get the birth control they need to plan a family on their own terms and lower their costs, too. As we continue our fight to protect access to reproductive health care, we’re glad to have the Biden Administration behind us one hundred percent.”

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