In recent years, many states have passed laws requiring that health benefit plans that cover other types of prescriptions must also cover prescription contraception. These laws vary from state to state. These state laws apply only to those insurance plans that are regulated by state law. See Planned Parenthood's FAQ's  for more information on federal vs. state laws.

Michigan ruling extends contraceptive equity

Employers in Michigan are now prohibited from excluding birth control pills and other prescription contraceptives from employee health plans that cover other prescriptions, thanks to a ruling by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission on Aug. 21. More...

RECENT VICTORIES

Masters, Mates and Pilots Union Adds Contraception to Health Plan: One member taking action benefits 6,800 members

Robin Llewellyn is a member of the Masters, Mates and Pilots Union. She is based in Seattle where she works for Horizon Lines as a licensed third mate in charge of safety inspection. She has been a union member and Horizon employee for two and a half years. Robin earned a BS in Marine Transportation from the California Maritime Academy in April 2003 and received her third mate unlimited tonnage license for steamer motors in June of that year.

For Robin, who is in her mid-20s, contraception is a particular concern: Her chosen profession – which can keep her at sea for long stretches – and the cost of contraception is high. She, therefore, asked the health plan administrator if prescription contraception drugs and devices were covered. She found out that they weren’t. More...

Contraceptive Equity and Access in the United States: A 2005 Update
(Editorial, May 2005, Contraception, the official magazine of the Association of Reproductive Health Professional.)

Findings from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth, released December 2004, indicate the number of women who were at risk of pregnancy but not using a method of contraception increased from 5.4% (3.13 million U.S. women aged 15-44 years) in 1995 to 7.4% (4.56 million) in 2002.1 This trend (which was limited to women 20 years or older) is disturbing, will likely result in more unintended pregnancies and abortions, and begs the question ‘How can we improve access to contraception among U.S. women?’ More...

CONTRACEPTIVE INSURANCE COVERAGE
HAS IMPROVED DRAMATICALLY

State laws prove effective,
but there is more to be done

A study released in June 2004 shows that we have come a long way on getting insurance plans to cover contraception. However, it also notes that "too little information was available from employers who self-insure, typically large companies, to be meaningful. About half of all employee benefit plans are administered by the companies themselves and are not subject to the state coverage mandates." MANY UNION PLANS FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY -- SO THAT UNION WOMEN MUST CHECK TO SEE IF THEIR PLANS COVER CONTRACEPTION... AND IF THEY DON'T, THE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE PUSHED BY THE UNION (the union can threaten the employer with a law suit under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act).

We urge unions that have women's caucuses/committees to circulate this.

In those states without mandates -- or State Attorney General interpretations of state employment law to cover contraceptive equity -- unions need to work with those groups pushing for state laws/Attorney General opinions (often headed by Planned Parenthood in the state) to get them. States that still need to get contraceptive equity include: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

• Contraceptive Equity Quick Facts
• States with Contraceptive Equity laws
• Contraceptive Coverage Saves Money
• Emergency Contraception Fact Sheet
• Sample request for information on contraceptive coverage
• Sample request for contraceptive coverage
• A good contraceptive equity plan
• CLUW resolution on contraceptive equity
• AFL-CIO resolution on contraceptive equity
• Ideas for action