AFFORDABILITY IS ACCESS: Murray Announces New Legislation to Expand Access to Affordable Over-the-Counter Birth Control

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee announced the Affordability is Access Act, a new bill that would build on contraception coverage access in the Affordable Care Act by ensuring that when the FDA approves birth control pills for over the counter use, they will be covered without cost sharing and without the need for a prescription. The legislation would help expand women's access to affordable birth control while maintaining the FDA's sole authority to determine the safety and quality of drugs.

In a call with leaders from NARAL Pro Choice America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Murray highlighted that the Affordability is Access Act would allow women to have access to convenient, FDA-approved over-the-counter birth control pills without being forced to pay extra out of pocket on top of their insurance. She urged her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join her in making birth control pills more affordable and more accessible for all women, rather than fighting to take away contraceptive coverage as some Republicans have proposed.

"I believe strongly that women should be able to get the comprehensive health care they need, when they need it--without being charged extra, without asking permission, and without politicians interfering," said Senator Murray. "I'm proud to be fighting for the Affordability is Access Act, which would help make sure women can have safe, convenient, over-the-counter access to birth control without being forced to pay extra on top of their insurance."

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