Biden-Harris administration calls for expanding rules forcing private health insurance to hand out free birth control

(Daily Caller News Foundation) – The Biden-Harris administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a rule Monday that would expand the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) requirement for health insurers to cover the cost of contraceptives.

Private health insurance providers would be required to cover the cost of birth control, condoms and “morning after” pills at no cost and without a prescription, according to an HHS press release. Health insurers are currently required under the ACA to cover the cost of birth control, condoms and emergency contraception if prescribed; however, the proposed rule would remove the prescription requirements, The Associated Press reported.

Under the ACA spearheaded by the Obama administration in 2010, the majority of health insurance plans were made to require covering the cost of birth control, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“From day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has made clear that every woman should have access to the health care she needs. That includes contraception and other family planning services,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the press release. “The proposed rule we announce today would expand access to birth control at no additional cost for millions of consumers. Bottom line: women should have control over their personal health care decisions. And issuers and providers have an obligation to comply with the law.”

Outside of pill contraceptives, the new proposed rule would require private health insurers to cover the birth control device IUDs, according to the announcement. If finalized, the new rule would potentially take effect in 2025.

“This rule, once finalized, will expand contraception coverage for 52 million women of reproductive age with private health insurance,” Jennifer Klein, White House gender policy council director, said during a briefing, according to Reuters. “For the first time ever, women would be able to obtain over-the-counter contraception without a prescription at no additional cost, and health plans would have to cover even more prescribed contraceptives without cost sharing.”

HHS did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.