SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Dec. 4 called on U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to take additional steps to ensure that all forms of contraception are affordable and accessible.
Gov. Newsom, joined by the other executive committee governors of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance; Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper – along with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, issued the letter to express their support for the federal government expanding contraceptive access across the country.
The non-prescription daily birth control pill could revolutionize access to contraception in the United States — if it is affordable. These governors are joining forces with the Biden Administration in support of affordability by advocating for steps to be taken to require most health plans to cover the cost of the medication.
Earlier this year, the Federal Drug Administration or FDA approved the first over-the-counter or OTC daily birth control pill, a development that could revolutionize access to contraception in the United States. The pill is expected to be available to the people across the country in the coming months.
The governors urge the federal government to clarify that non-prescription contraception will be covered without cost-sharing under private health insurance plans subject to Affordable Care Act or ACA regulations, Medicare, and Medicaid. They wrote:
“As Governors, we see firsthand the need for affordable and accessible reproductive health coverage in our communities. In forming the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, we vowed to safeguard and improve reproductive healthcare access in the face of an unprecedented assault on the right to primary healthcare. We urge your departments to promptly disseminate new guidance on coverage of [over-the-counter] contraception and join us in expanding access to reproductive healthcare for the most vulnerable populations in our country.”
Details: A full copy of the letter can be found here.