Erin Delaney, Director of Health Care Policy at the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), released the following statement on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to approve an over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill:
“PPI applauds the FDA for its approval of Opill, the first daily OTC birth control pill, after decades of advocacy to make birth control more accessible. Allowing the sale of OTC birth control pills means that the more than 19 million women of reproductive age living in contraceptive deserts could have access to the health care they need. This is a historic victory for public health and health equity as we continue to fight for reproductive access and freedom, especially in the wake of Roe.
“Now that this step has been taken, it is critical to ensure that OTC birth control pills are affordable, covered by insurance, and are available in all pharmacies — including independent pharmacies — to ensure rural access. While OTC medications are typically less expensive than prescription, the cost of Opill is not yet known and health plans are only encouraged, not required, to cover OTC birth control pills without cost-sharing. Currently, most private health insurers cover prescription birth control pills thanks to the Affordable Care Act, and all five major insurers cover different forms of OTC birth control.
“To ensure equitable access to Opill and future OTC birth control pills, PPI endorses the Affordability is Access Act, sponsored by Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), that would require all private health insurance plans to fully cover OTC birth control without any out-of-pocket costs to the patient.
“PPI will continue to support efforts to broaden access to comprehensive reproductive health care for all Americans.”
The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Learn more about PPI by visiting progressivepolicy.org.
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Media Contact: Amelia Fox – afox@ppionline.org
