In July of 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved “Opill” – the first nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill to be available in the United States. It is now expected to be available to the public in early 2024. This is an exciting opportunity to increase access to contraception for women all across the country.
As a result of this approval, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services have expressed interest in requiring health insurance plans nationwide to cover OTC contraception without cost-sharing and without a prescription by a healthcare provider. In October of 2023, the Departments issued a Request for Information (RFI), seeking public comments to understand the benefits and costs of implementing such a requirement.
TWHC staff submitted written comments in response to this RFI. We used this opportunity to express our support for the coverage requirement, give an overview of the current barriers with access to and utilization of birth control, and recommend solutions to potential implementation issues that may arise.
To read our submitted comments, click below.
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