Contraception
Why We Care Why It Matters Barriers to Birth Control Our Work to Protect Access
Why We Care
As physicians, we see every day how access to contraception improves our patients’ lives. We know that it is crucial to women’s well-being and their children’s health, because access to contraception empowers patients to achieve their life goals, gives them autonomy to care for and support their families, and participate in society.
The most reliable forms of birth control are often too expensive to afford out of pocket. Because we believe everyone should be able to choose the method that meets their health needs, we are fighting to keep the Affordable Care Act’s contraception coverage.
It is critical that we continue to speak out for comprehensive education on, access to, and financial coverage for of all contraceptive methods so that patients are able to choose what is right for them. No one should be denied birth control because of where they work, their income, their age, or their geography.
Why It Matters
3.8M
Women
Received birth control from Title X program
2M
Unplanned pregnancies
Prevented by publicly funded contraception
9
States
Have restrictions on emergency contraception
Barriers to Birth Control
Patients face a variety of obstacles on the way to getting the contraception that's best for them.
Before the Affordable Care Act, access to contraception varied based on a person's insurance. Under the Affordable Care Act, women could find the right contraceptive method without worrying about high costs. But this contraception benefit is being threatened, and we are working to preserve it.
Although the ability to plan and space pregnancies is essential to women's health and well-being, many people have difficulty accessing either the prescription or the pharmacy. Our doctors are speaking out about access.
While many think of birth control as just the pill, some of the most reliable forms of birth control include long acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs and implants. Many women may not know they have access to these effective options through the contraception benefit of the Affordable Care Act. We work to educate patients about their options.
Our Work to Protect Access
Story
Story No. 517: Dr. Azmina from New York
Stories around access to comprehensive reproductive health care help end the stigma around contraception and abortion. Help change the public and political conversations, alike. Share […]
Story
Story No. 512: Provider from Washington
I am a white, upper-middle class OB/GYN living in Seattle, Washington, and I’m aware of my privilege. I specialize in Family Planning, and was lucky […]
Story
Story No. 511: Sherry from North Carolina
Choice is the keyword plus the freedom to make that choice!
Story
Story No. 509: Vanessa from Washington, DC
When I was 25 years old, I was diagnosed with a heart valve that didn’t work properly, and when I was 29 years old I […]
Story
Story No. 508: Dr. Kathy from New York
In my residency, I met ‘Sara’ at the clinic. She was a student at a Catholic college. She came for contraception after having had three […]
Story
Story No. 504: Dr. Jenny from Washington
Recently, I had a patient who had moved to the area with her husband and four kids to escape difficult living conditions. They were genuinely […]
Story
Story No. 502: Rebecca from California
I care about access to: comprehensive sexual education, preventive sexual health care, and birth control …because I (did/did not) have access to this care when […]
Story
Story No. 500: Dr. Danielle from South Carolina
To honor the selection of the 500th Voices of Courage story, Physicians for Reproductive Health held a story competition for stories that inspire, break down stigma, […]
Press Release
Health Care Providers and Grassroots Activists Ask Albany to Be a Leader for Reproductive Freedom on 2018 NY Repro Freedom Day of Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ALBANY, NY – Today, Wednesday May 30, Physicians for Reproductive Health and the National Institute for Reproductive Health are hosting the 2018 […]
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