HealthyWomen Launches Major Education Campaign Around Access to Contraceptives

(Washington, DC) — Today, HealthyWomen, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering women to make informed decisions about their health, announced a patient- and consumer-focused education campaign around birth control access.

Under a provision of the Affordable Care Act, federal law requires health insurers to provide coverage for a full range of contraceptive methods and counseling without any out-of-pocket costs. Thanks to the ACA, millions of Americans can access birth control free of cost. Despite this, patients continue to report that health insurance companies are flouting the law and creating barriers to contraceptive care.

Through a coordinated education campaign, HealthyWomen will ensure that women have accurate information and resources, understand their rights and know how to receive access to their birth control of choice without out-of-pocket costs or unnecessary requirements. The organization will launch an online hub next week dedicated to informing the public about their rights in demanding access to their chosen contraceptive, as prescribed by their physician. HealthyWomen will also be activating an online hub in effort to collect the voices and stories of women who have been denied coverage.

The best way to elevate each other is by listening and sharing real stories. HealthyWomen wants to hear from women to share and record their unfiltered experiences regarding access to contraceptives. The goal is to elevate the conversation around women’s health and inform people of their rights.

“Women are legally entitled to receive the birth control method of their choice without cost-sharing. Insurers need to be held accountable when they try to skirt the law,” said Beth Battaglino, CEO, HealthyWomen. “At HealthyWomen, we want to make sure that women know their rights and how to communicate them when it comes to accessing their preferred contraception of choice. We’re here to give them the tools and resources they need to be their best advocate.”

The Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor and Treasury Department have taken a bold, brave and much-needed first step to address the systemic non-compliance by insurers and plans. They reaffirmed the law last month by issuing new guidance. Insurance companies must now be held accountable in adhering to this guidance.

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HealthyWomen is the nation’s leading independent, nonprofit health information source for women. Our mission is to educate women to make informed health choices for themselves and for their families. For 30 years, millions of women have turned to HealthyWomen for answers to their most personal healthcare questions. HealthyWomen provides objective, research-based health information reviewed by medical experts to ensure its accuracy. Consumers, healthcare providers, nonprofit and corporate partners, and the media trust HealthyWomen as a valued and reliable health information source.