Bonamici, Capps, & DeLauro Praise New Contraception Coverage

Press Release

In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-24), and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) expressed support for new guidelines clarifying full coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptive methods.

The new requirements come after the National Women's Law Center and the Kaiser Family Foundation found that some health insurers did not cover some types of birth control as required under the Affordable Care Act. Under the new guidelines, at least one kind of birth control from each of the 18 FDA-approved birth control methods must be covered.

The letter, signed by 70 House members, also asks the Secretary to increase consumer education and awareness of the women's health benefits in the ACA and to encourage states to enforce compliance.

"Insurance companies should not overrule a woman's reproductive health care choices," Congresswoman Bonamici said. "I am pleased with the department's new rules, which will provide women with more reproductive options and in turn greater economic freedom. The Affordable Care Act acknowledges the critical economic role reproductive health plays in the lives of women, and I encourage Secretary Burwell to continue to support the ACA's benefits to women."

"Women have the right to make their own personal health care decisions, and these new clarifying guidelines will ensure that women have access to all reproductive health care options as they and their health care provider decide what is best for them," Congresswoman Capps said. "Under the Affordable Care Act, all forms of birth control methods must be covered by health insurers and I am pleased that HHS has eliminated any uncertainty or confusion with these guidelines. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure women have every opportunity to make their own personal health care decisions."

"The rules prohibiting cost-sharing on preventive care, including contraception, are clear and insurers who are not following them are in violation of the law," Congresswoman DeLauro said. "The Affordable Care Act was intended, and is beginning, to transform our health care system, expand access to care and better the lives of Americans. A key part of that was putting women's health care on equal footing with men's to ensure that future generations of American women will lead healthier, more productive lives. I applaud Secretary Burwell for the steps she has taken thus far and look forward to continuing to work with her to ensure women have the crucial preventive services they need."

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