Biden admin proposes to make OTC birth control free

The Biden administration proposed a new rule yesterday that mandates insurance to cover over-the-counter (OTC) birth control methods like pills, including Opill, emergency contraceptives and condoms.

It aims to expand free birth control access for individuals with private health insurance, building on the Obama-era Affordable Care Act.

Opill, the first-ever OTC birth control pill approved in 2023, costs nearly $20 per month without insurance. So, women with private insurance will not be able to get it for free without a prescription.

If approved, the rule could benefit 52 million women of reproductive age by offering more contraceptive options at no additional cost. Currently, several birth control measures aren’t fully covered by many insurance plans.

Focus on reproductive rights
Announced two weeks before Election Day, the move aligns with Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats’ focus on strengthening reproductive rights, particularly after the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling to overturn Roe v Wade.

Next steps and challenges
The administration aims to finalize the rule quickly, but the proposal requires a 60-day public comment period, which may slow the process.