By: dfitzgerald
Executive Summary
States are taking the initiative to bolster federal health care policy intended to provide comprehensive contraceptive coverage, Staff Attorney Agata Pelka writes in the September Health Advocate. Pelka states, “Access to quality, comprehensive health care is critical for women to be equal, participating, and productive members of society.” While federal law, such as the Affordable Care Act, has improved access to contraception for low-income individuals, states like California and Maryland have enacted Contraceptive Equity laws that help “close gaps, improve access to a full range of contraceptive methods and ensure that individuals have access to their choice of contraception without barriers, delays, or cost sharing.” NHeLP, Pelka notes, has developed model legislation based on the Contraceptive Equity Bill that California enacted, and stands ready to assist state advocates looking to advance similar policy in their states.
