Senators Reintroduced Bill to Cover Over-the-Counter Birth Control
New legislation aims to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for FDA-approved contraceptive options for insured individuals.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Sexual Health
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Should federal law require health insurance to cover all over-the-counter birth control without cost-sharing?
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has reintroduced the Affordability is Access Act, which would require private health insurance plans to cover FDA-approved, over-the-counter birth control. The bill seeks to remove financial barriers to reproductive care by prohibiting out-of-pocket fees.
Why it matters
This legislation aims to expand reproductive access by ensuring that insurance coverage extends to non-prescription birth control methods. By mandating full coverage for these products, the bill seeks to reduce the financial burden of purchasing preventive contraceptives.
The proposed legislation targets the expansion of preventive health coverage to include the full range of FDA-approved, over-the-counter contraceptive products and drug-led combination options. The ultimate impact on consumer out-of-pocket spending remains subject to the bill's passage.
The players
Catherine Cortez Masto
United States Senator from Nevada and primary sponsor of the Affordability is Access Act.
Patty Murray
United States Senator from Washington and co-sponsor of the reproductive access legislation.
Mazie Hirono
United States Senator from Hawaii and co-sponsor of the legislative proposal.
The details
The bill mandates that private health insurance plans cover all FDA-approved, over-the-counter contraceptive products without cost-sharing. Plans must provide these items at no additional fee to the insured, though they may opt to cover a therapeutically equivalent generic version instead of a brand-name product. This regulatory requirement aims to standardize contraceptive access across the private insurance market.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: Senator Cortez Masto reintroduced the Affordability is Access Act.
Health Landscape
This bill seeks to build upon the existing framework of the Affordable Care Act's preventive services mandate. It represents an effort to update coverage standards to align with the evolving availability of non-prescription reproductive health options.
If this bill becomes law, it would change how you purchase and pay for birth control by requiring your insurance provider to cover over-the-counter options. It is worth discussing with your physician or insurance carrier how your current plan handles preventive contraceptive coverage.
The takeaway
The proposed legislation aims to make over-the-counter birth control as affordable as prescription options by mandating insurance coverage. Patients should track the progress of this bill to understand potential future changes to their reproductive health insurance benefits.
Further reading
For more information on the current state of reproductive care, see our guide to Sexual Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kolotv.
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Should federal law require health insurance to cover all over-the-counter birth control without cost-sharing?
