WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced the Convenient Contraception Act, legislation that would improve access to contraceptive products, including over-the-counter contraceptives.
The bill would allow individuals covered by private health insurance plans to receive up to a full-year supply of contraceptives at one time and would require plans to cover the associated cost at pickup. Providing a year-long supply of contraceptives has been proven to improve health outcomes, and many states have already adopted this practice. Despite the documented benefits of providing a year-long supply of contraceptives, the majority of contraceptive users receive a supply of three months or less, needlessly wasting personal time while adding unnecessary paperwork.
“I will always fight to protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. This bill would allow patients to pick up their full prescriptions at once, improving access to contraception by simply making it more convenient,” said Senator John Fetterman. “This is a commonsense solution, and I’m proud to lead this legislation to make contraception access more equitable.”
“Expanding access to contraception is a critical part of protecting the health and lives of millions of women who have seen their access to care jeopardized by extreme Republicans’ attacks on reproductive freedom,” said Rep. Lauren Underwood. “Contraception is essential health care, and it must remain easily available nationwide.”
Senators Tammy Baldwin [D-WI], Richard Blumenthal [D-CT], Cory Booker [D-NJ], Maria Cantwell [D-WA], Tammy Duckworth [D-IL], Kirsten Gillibrand [D-NY], Martin Heinrich [D-NM], Mazie Hirono [D-HI], Tim Kaine [D-VA], Amy Klobuchar [D-MN], Jeff Merkley [D-OR], Chris Murphy [D-CT], Patty Murray [ D-WA], Alex Padilla [D-CA], and Tina Smith [D-MN] joined Senator Fetterman to introduce this legislation. In the House, Representatives Mikie Sherrill [D-NJ-11], Dina Titus [D-NV-01], and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick [D-FL-20] joined Rep. Underwood’s companion bill.
Currently, many private health insurance plans require a patient to pick up their contraception prescription multiple times over the duration of a prescription, creating an unnecessary burden and increasing the likelihood of gaps in protection. In the aftermath of the Dobbs decision and the ensuing nationwide attacks on reproductive freedom, Senator Fetterman has firmly defended the right for women to make decisions about their bodies. The Convenient Contraception Act would benefit women across the country, as removing barriers to contraceptive access not only improves contraceptive continuation, decreases lapses in coverage, and increases health care system savings; it also decreases unintended pregnancies, maternal morbidity, and health inequities.
Improving convenient access to contraceptives is popular among most Americans. A recent study found that 77 percent of voters believe it is personally important that the U.S. make access to birth control pills and other contraceptives more easily available.
The Convenient Contraception Act is endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Catholics for Choice, Contraceptive Access Initiative, Every Mother Counts, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, MomsRising, Reproductive Freedom for All, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Power to Decide, and What to Expect Project.
Read the full bill text here.
