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
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Story No. 569: Dr. Sarah from Florida
Last week, I overheard a moving conversation in the waiting room of my mobile health center. A middle-aged Colombian woman said, “My daughter got a […]
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Story No. 563: Patient from Michigan
I have been fortunate to be in places where I’ve been able to get birth control and testing easily. I had to take a pregnancy […]
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Story No. 556: Dr. Wing Kay from California
I saw a patient yesterday who was seeking an abortion at Planned Parenthood. She had an early pregnancy, just six weeks along, and she came […]
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Story No. 545: Provider from Georgia
I recently saw a 17 year old patient in the emergency room who I’ll call Lisa who brings to life why we are in need […]
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Story No. 544: Kathy from South Carolina
My adult daughter was diagnosed with a reproductive health condition after graduating from college, while she was working part-time before beginning graduate school. She requires […]
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Story No. 540: Cammie from Oklahoma
I was a newly divorced mom in 1994 with two daughters ages four and nine. I lost the health insurance I’d had through my husband, […]
PRH in the News
Trump Nominates Kavanaugh for Supreme Court
Dr. Jamila Perritt talked to MedPage today about why Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is a threat to abortion rights and access to health care.
PRH in the News
Should You Get An IUD Because Of Trump’s Supreme Court Pick? Read This First
Dr. Sarah Horvath and Dr. Kristyn Brandi talked to Elite Daily about picking the birth control method that is right for you.
PRH in the News
IUD 101: What to know about this form of birth control
Dr. Anne Davis talked to CNN about the pros and cons of IUDs.
We need your help to protect the contraceptive coverage under the ACA.
Support access to contraception today with a tax-deductible donation.