Introduction of Affordability is Access

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Ami Bera (D-CA) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) introduced the Affordability is Access Act, a bill to require insurance coverage without co-pays for all over-the-counter (OTC) contraceptives, and to strengthen coverage of prescription methods as well.

This proposed legislation comes as new data from Power to Decide and the Guttmacher Institute show that 21.4 million women* of reproductive age in the U.S. in need of low- or no-cost contraception live in a county with a contraceptive access gap-where the self-defined need for low- or no-cost contraception doesn't meet the services available in the area.

In response, Power to Decide CEO Lori Adelman released the following statement:

"Access to contraception is fundamental to equity and to people living their lives on their own terms. Yet too often, having real access to contraception depends on where you live and your income. As our new maps reveal, 21.4 million women in the United States live in a county with a contraceptive access gap. That's far too many people living without access to necessary health care. As the impacts of the administration's attacks on the Title X family planning program and Medicaid continue, we know these gaps in access will widen."

"Everyone deserves strong, seamless coverage of contraception without co-pays - for all methods, including OTC options. That's what it'll take to ensure every person has access to the care they need, no matter where they live or how much money they make.

We thank Senator Murray, Representative Pressley, and our congressional champions for introducing this bill and for their tireless work to protect and improve access to reproductive health care. We look forward to working with them to make contraceptive access and affordability a reality for all."

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Power to Decideis a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to advance sexual and reproductive well-being for all by providing trusted information, expanding access to quality services, and catalyzing culture change.

*As defined by our data sources