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
PRH in the News
Re: “New Rules Let Too Many Employers Deny Birth Control Coverage”:
Current Academy Fellow Dr. Glenna Martin’s letter to the editor was published in the Seattle Times. Dr. Martin talks about the importance of birth control […]
PRH in the News
Trump’s Latest Birth Control Move Could Make Your Next Pharmacy Visit a Lot More Expensive
Bustle interviewed Academy alum Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi for a story about the Trump administration’s new rules on birth control access.
PRH in the News
Here’s What Trump’s Final Rules on Birth Control Coverage Mean for You
Academy alum Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi spoke to Self about the Trump administration’s new rules on birth control coverage, explaining how it may affect women going […]
PRH in the News
HHS Final Rules on Birth Control Coverage Draw Praise, Criticism
Academy alum Dr. Sanithia Williams is featured in this MedPage article on the implications of HHS final rules on birth control coverage.
Story
Story No. 591: Provider from North Carolina
"Patients should be able to have access to their contraceptive method of choice, at an affordable price, at the time that they need it."
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Story No. 590: Provider from Michigan
"Contraception is a part of good, preventive, life-saving medicine."
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Story No. 589: Provider from North Carolina
"Her employer had opted out of covering contraception."
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Story No. 588: Patient and Provider from Michigan
"Contraception is a woman’s choice, not her employers"
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Story No. 587: Provider from North Carolina
"Maria should have been able to have access to the care she requested"
We need your help to protect the contraceptive coverage under the ACA.
Support access to contraception today with a tax-deductible donation.