In a step toward advancing reproductive health rights, the Biden-Harris administration has proposed a new rule that would broaden access to affordable contraception under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Announced last Monday, the initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers that have hindered individuals from accessing contraceptive services.
As conversation surrounding reproductive rights heat up in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, this proposal seeks to transform healthcare access and engage voters on issues of personal autonomy and public health, according to President Joe Biden’s Oct. 21 announcement.
Rodericka Applewhaite, director of Black media at the White House, emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare.
She said that this initiative is vital for marginalized communities, especially Black women, who often face significant barriers in accessing reproductive services. Women of color are more likely to face social and structural factors such as fewer neighborhood health services and less insurance coverage, according to the National Institutes of Health,
“This is huge for college students and American women in general,” Applewhaite said, highlighting how expanded access will empower young people to make informed decisions about their health.
She said this change aims to increase access to medications, including emergency contraception and daily oral contraceptives that are now available over the counter.
“This initiative is particularly important because it will help students understand their options for accessing contraception,” Applewhaite said.
The Biden-Harris administration has built on the ACA’s requirement that most Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and private insurance plans cover contraception without cost sharing.
The current proposal with the collaboration of the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury is projected to benefit 52 million women of reproductive age with private health insurance and aims to broaden coverage.
The administration’s efforts are a direct response to the significant threats to reproductive rights that emerged after the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade, as outlined in the White House’s recent statement.
Applewhaite emphasized that even though the right to an abortion was stripped away federally, the administration could still pursue options to ensure women maintain access to affordable reproductive avenues.
The White House has highlighted that dangerous abortion bans are putting women’s health and lives at risk, disrupting access to critical healthcare services.
Malia Pride, a freshman nursing major from El Paso, Texas, shared her own experience with birth control.
“I currently don’t have insurance, and my birth control prescription isn’t covered, so I have to pay $200 every month,” she said. “As a college student, that’s a huge burden.”
She expressed her enthusiasm for the proposed rule, and how it may help college students.
“This could help a lot of students who are facing the high costs of birth control, especially those who are uninsured,” Pride said. “Having access to affordable contraception is crucial because it allows us to focus on our education without the added stress of unexpected pregnancies.”
Pride also highlighted the importance of this coverage for students.
“Having the choice to use contraceptives is essential,” she said. “We’re students, and having a child while trying to manage school is just not realistic for many of us.”
Applewhaite shared that the White House administration has initiated efforts to inform marginalized communities about these new benefits.
The administration conducts educational programs and travels nationwide to inform the public about policy proposals. Applewhaite encouraged people to visit hhs.gov for more details on the expanded contraception rule and their specific coverage under the ACA.
Applewhaite said that this expanded coverage would be especially beneficial for students living in states with more restrictive access to reproductive healthcare.
Tamerat Broglio, a sophomore marketing major from Boston shared his opinions on the Biden-Harris administration’s proposed rule to expand affordable contraception.
He acknowledged his limited familiarity with the specifics, but supported the initiatives, especially regarding free condoms.
“Making them [condoms] more accessible would encourage safe sex and help prevent the spread of STDs,” he said.
Broglio also emphasized the importance of male responsibility in reproductive discussions.
“Everyone should have 100 percent reproductive rights over their bodies, but I think it’s important for men to be equally responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy sexual culture,” he said.
He encouraged men to support their partners in accessing contraceptive options and pointed to the need for better education about sexual health, especially in college settings.
“We have to stress the importance of safe sex and understanding the risks associated with not using protection,” he said.
Broglio hopes that if the proposed rule is implemented, there will be an increase in contraceptive use among students, as financial concerns are alleviated.
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
