Contraceptive Coverage

Floor Speech

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, contraceptive coverage is an issue of women's health, access to health care, and affordability that affects our entire health care system. As we deliberate this important issue, it's imperative that we consider all of the benefits of access to contraceptives, starting with the prevention of unplanned pregnancies.

One thing about which we should all agree is that we need to reduce the number of abortions. Now, access to contraceptives plays a critical role in that goal, but the benefits don't stop there. Contraceptives are often prescribed for certain medical conditions that, untreated, could keep women from work, lead to more serious health problems, or otherwise impact the quality of their lives. These negative consequences are easy to prevent with access to preventive health care, which can help with unnecessary costs, both intangible and tangible.

Unfortunately, too many women across the country suffer every day because they don't have access to health care that includes contraceptives. This is an issue of access, of affordability, and of the rights of women to receive quality health care. I urge my colleagues to make that their focus.

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