Biden Announces Proposes Rule To Require Insurers To Pay For Contraceptives Under Affordable Care Act

President Joe Biden announced that he would propose a new rule for the Affordable Care Act. This announcement comes about a week before the November 5 presidential election. 

The new rule aims to cut prices and expand access to contraceptives. Under this rule, health insurance companies would have to cover over-the-counter birth control, including certain birth control pills and condoms. 

In a statement, President Biden commented, “At a time when contraception access is under attack, Vice President Harris and I are resolute in our commitment to expanding access to quality, affordable contraception.” He further added that the Biden administration believes that “women in every state must have the freedom to make deeply personal health care decisions, including the right to decide if and when to start or grow their family.”

Since the overturning of the Supreme Court case Roe V. Wade in 2022, many red states have banned or severely restricted access to abortion. 

“We have heard from women who need a specific brand of birth control, but the cost of their prescription isn’t covered by their health insurance. We have made clear that in all 50 states, the Affordable Care Act guarantees coverage of women’s preventive services without cost sharing, including all birth control methods approved by the Food and Drug Administration,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra told reporters. “This proposed rule will build on the progress we have already made under the Affordable Care Act to help ensure that more women can access the contraceptive services they need without out-of-pocket costs,” he added. 

Polls show that there is widespread bipartisan support for access to contraceptives. However, previous bills that aimed to expand access to contraceptives have not been backed by many Republicans. Every Republican, except for Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), voted against the Right to Contraceptive Act, introduced earlier this year.  

According to senior administration officials, the new rule could become effective in 2025 after a comment period and if approved.

If Trump is elected in November, he could strike down the proposed rule.