WASHINGTON—Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Dina Titus (NV-01), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced the Convenient Contraception Act, legislation that would improve access to contraceptive products, including over-the-counter contraceptives. The bill provides individuals covered by private health coverage with the option to receive a full year of contraception when their prescription is issued—an evidence-based policy that improves health outcomes—instead of the current three-month supply that is standard in many states.
“Expanding access to contraception is a critical part of protecting the health and lives of millions of women who have seen their access to care jeopardized by extreme Republicans’ attacks on reproductive freedom,”said Congresswoman Lauren Underwood.“Contraception is essential health care, and it must remain easily available nationwide.”
“I will always fight to protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. This bill would allow patients to pick up their full prescriptions at once, improving access to contraception by simply making it more convenient,”said Senator John Fetterman.“This is a commonsense solution, and I’m proud to lead this legislation to make contraception access more equitable.”
“I am proud to co-lead this bicameral legislation to ensure women can pick up a full year prescription of contraceptives at once, rather than just three months at a time,”said Congresswoman Mikie Sherill.“As Donald Trump and Washington Republicans take aim at women’s health nationwide, it’s critically important that we continue to push forward in our fight to protect health care, preserve women’s rights and freedoms, and empower women to make their own decisions about their bodies.”
“I’m proud to join Sen. Fetterman and Rep. Underwood in the effort to make contraception more accessible, especially as the GOP continues to attack women’s freedoms from every angle,”said Congresswoman Dina Titus.“Southern Nevadans have made clear for decades that reproductive rights are a top priority, and this commonsense legislation would make a simple but critical fix to expand access and reduce racial disparities in care.”
“The ability to purchase contraception should be seamless and hassle-free, but that hasn’t been the case for far too many women,”said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.“The Convenient Contraception Act is a common-sense solution to the financial and logistical hurdles that stand in the way of comprehensive reproductive health care.”
Currently, many health coverage plans require a patient to pick up their contraception prescription multiple times during their prescription, creating an unnecessary burden and increasing the likelihood of gaps in protection. The Convenient Contraception Act requires insurers to permit individuals covered by private health coverage plans to pick up a full-year prescription supply at once and prohibits coverage plans from charging additional costs for a one-year supply.
Removing barriers to contraception can help reduce racial and ethnic disparities in access to care and decrease the likelihood of unintended pregnancies, which have been linked to adverse health effects, including maternal depression, intimate partner violence, low birth weight, and preterm birth.
The Convenient Contraception Act is endorsed by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Catholics for Choice; Contraceptive Access Initiative; Every Mother Counts; In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda; MomsRising; NARAL Pro-Choice America; National Council of Jewish Women; National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association; National Partnership for Women & Families; National Women’s Law Center; Physicians for Reproductive Health; Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Power to Decide; and What to Expect Project.
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