Contraception Bills Continue to Move Forward in the General Assembly
Contraceptive access must be equitable and affordable to all
Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Prince William) and reproductive rights advocates from REPRO Rising Virginia, Birth in Color, Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Americans for Contraception, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia addressed the issue of contraceptive coverage at a press conference in the General Assembly Building on Wednesday, February 11.
The Right to Contraception Act (SB596/HB6) would codify Virginians’ right to use and doctors’ right to prescribe FDA-approved methods of contraception, including the pill, IUDs, and emergency contraceptives. The legislation passed the Virginia Senate and will be considered by the House of Delegates in the coming weeks. The House bill championed by Delegate Marcia “Cia” Price (D-Newport News), has passed the House and will be considered by the Senate in the coming weeks.
The Contraceptive Equity Act (SB361/HB1182), patroned by Carroll Foy in the Senate, would require health insurance companies to cover contraceptives without cost-sharing, including over-the-counter contraception. The legislation has passed the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee and is now being considered by the full Senate. The House bill, patroned by Del. Josh Thomas (D-Prince William), passed the House Labor and Commerce Committee and has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee Compensation and Retirement Subcommittee.
“With President Trump letting the ACA subsidies expire and health insurance more expensive than ever, we must ensure equitable and affordable access to care, however possible,” said Executive Director of Repro Rising Virginia Tarina Keene. “The Contraceptive Equity Act is a commonsense bill that enshrines the Affordable Care Act’s no co-pay contraceptive health insurance coverage into Virginia code. But it takes it a bit further, and requires coverage of every unique contraceptive or therapeutic equivalent to truly create equity.”
