Almost two weeks before the American election, the current President of the United States announced on Monday October 21 his wish to extend coverage of free, over-the-counter contraception for 52 million women.
This is one of Joe Biden’s final projects before he hands over. The American president announced on Monday October 21 his wish to force American health insurance companies to reimburse more contraceptive products accessible without a prescription, two weeks before a presidential election where the right to abortion remains a crucial issue. “This new measure would help ensure that millions of women with health insurance, can access the free contraception they need”assured the American president in a press release.
Current law in the United States requires that most insurance plans cover contraception, free of charge. However, these may require a prescription. This includes emergency contraceptives but also a contraceptive pill, Opill, the first available without a prescription.
With the measure proposed by Joe Biden, 52 million women of childbearing age with health insurance could benefit from free and over-the-counter contraceptive products, including emergency contraception.
An issue in the presidential campaign
“Our administration is proposing the largest expansion of contraceptive coverage in more than a decade”welcomed Kamala Harris. The Democratic presidential candidate has made women’s rights, and particularly abortion, one of the central themes of her campaign. Following a decision by the American Supreme Court in 2022 which annulled the federal guarantee of abortion, the Democrats have in fact positioned themselves as the first defenders of the right to abortion against the Republicans and Donald Trump. Now, this measure must come into force after two months of public consultation.
Source: www.liberation.fr
