Invest In Choice

What Is a CPC?

Washington,D.C. - Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the Obamaadministration’s announcement today regarding the requirement to coverfamily-planning services without a copay will benefit millions of women.

TheObama administration resisted a pressure campaign from anti-contraceptiongroups to broaden the refusal rule in a way that would have allowed manyemployers, including universities and hospitals, to refuse to cover birthcontrol.

"All women should have access to contraceptive coverage,regardless of where they work,” Keenan said. "The administration stood firmagainst intensive lobbying efforts from anti-birth-control organizations tryingto expand the refusal option even further to allow organizations andcorporations to deny their employees contraceptive coverage. As a result,millions will get access to contraception—and they will not have to ask theirbosses for permission.”

In early August, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)adopted the recommendation by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to includefamily-planning services as preventive-health care for women that must becovered by newly issued health plans without copays or deductibles.  HHS proposed to exempt certain religiousemployers from the new contraceptive requirement. Today, the administrationrejected calls to grant a broad range of employers permission to opt out ofthis coverage requirement. 

"Birthcontrol is basic health care for women, and 98 percent of women use birthcontrol at some point in their lives,” Keenan continued. "Today’s decisionstands in stark contrast with the anti-choice presidential candidates’positions on birth control. We will make sure voters understand thedifference.”

NARALPro-Choice America activists sent 135,543 messages to the Obama administrationcalling on the White House to stand strong in support of no-cost coverage ofcontraception. This latest activism adds to the list of actions it has taken tomake no-cost birth control a reality for all American women.

###