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, and gives them autonomy to care for and support their families, and otherwise 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 for the Affordable Care Act’s contraception coverage.
As this coverage is threatened, it is critical that we continue to speak out for comprehensive education, access, and financial coverage 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. 155: Christie from Colorado
In early 2014, the Affordable Care Act was just being implemented. Previously, I had been without health insurance for two years. My company provided for […]
Press Release
State Senate’s failure to pass RHA and CCCA harms New York patients
The New York Senate refused yet again to hear both the Reproductive Health Act and the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act this year. In response, Physicians […]
Story
Story No. 154: Sarah from Colorado
I have had awful cramps ever since puberty. My first period was so painful that when I got my menstrual cramps preceding when I started […]
Story
Story No. 153: Patient from Michigan
My story is simple. Thanks to Obamacare, I was given access to a free IUD. There is no way I would have been able to […]
Story
Story No. 152: Jen from Washington, DC
My mom raised me by herself on a pre-school teacher’s salary in our small rust belt town. We didn’t have a lot of money–I remember […]
Story
Story No. 151: Provider from California
Taslima immigrated from India six months ago. She was 18 years old and had been accepted from across the world to the University of California, […]
PRH in the News
5 Experts On Why Limiting Access To Free Birth Control Is Terrible For Women
Dr. Anne Davis quoted in a list of reactions to the Trump administration’s proposed expansion of religious exemptions for birth control coverage.
Press Release
Contraceptive coverage rollback would be disastrous for women’s health
The Trump administration is expected to soon issue a rule weakening contraceptive coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act. This action is in follow up […]
PRH in the News
CHOICE/LESS: The Backstory, Episode 1: The 1956 Puerto Rican Pill Trial
Dr. Kristyn Brandi was featured on Rewire’s CHOICE/LESS podcast to talk about contraceptive coercion and early contraceptive pill trials.
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