Advocates urge legislators to back bill requiring coverage of over-the-counter contraceptives

Reproductive health advocates are urging the Legislature to back a bill that would require insurance providers to cover over-the-counter contraceptives without passing along costs to customers. 

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Poppy Arford (D-Brunswick), comes as Republicans in some states have targeted certain forms of birth control. It also comes after arch-conservative Justice Clarence Thomas — in a concurring opinion to a 2022 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that struck down federal abortion rights — argued that several past decisions, including a ruling protecting access to contraceptives, should be reconsidered.   

Maine law already requires insurance coverage of prescription contraceptives. Arford’s bill, LD 2203, would expand that to nonprescription contraceptives approved by the Food and Drug Administration. In a news release about the bill Tuesday, Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund said that would be an important step in part because the FDA in July approved the first daily oral over-the-counter contraceptive pill. That pill will become available later in 2024. 

On Tuesday, Arford’s bill had a public hearing in the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee, which will further consider the measure in the coming weeks.  

Prior to the hearing, advocates from reproductive health organizations in Maine urged lawmakers to approve the bill. 

“This bill addresses both access to and affordability of FDA-approved contraception for Mainers,” said Lisa Margulies, vice president of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund. “While extremist state lawmakers continue their attacks on reproductive health care, Maine continues to resist those attacks. With this bill, our lawmakers have an opportunity to show once again that Maine is a leader in protecting and expanding access to essential care.” 

“We know from research and talking with our patients that contraception access is vital in order for people to take care of their health and exercise their autonomy,” added Aspen Ruhlin, community engagement manager for the Mabel Wadsworth Center. “Mabel Wadsworth Center urges the Maine legislature to support this bill and expand contraceptive access for Mainers.”

Also on the reproductive health front, lawmakers and advocates are asking the Legislature to advance an initiative to voters that would enshrine the right to an abortion in the Maine Constitution. That measure will soon be considered by the full Legislature.