The Republicans have worked hard to limit Obamacare and the bodily autonomy of (overwhelmingly) women by attacking efforts to make reproductive health care like contraception and abortion care more accessible, but states like Delaware are strengthening protections.
Gov. John Carney signed Senate Bill 151 last week, which updates regulations for health insurance plans’ birth control coverage. Here’s a quick rundown on the update:
- All plans—even grandfathered plans that were exempt under the Affordable Care Act—will have to start providing birth control coverage with zero co-pay.
- Insurance companies must allow patients to pick up a full years’ supply of birth control at one time! No more mandatory tedious monthly trips.
- Emergency contraception will be available with $0 copay over the counter for people with insurance—no doctor’s trip or prescription needed!
These are a few simple, but major things that can be done to make reproductive health care less of a punishment. Here’s hoping that other states are watching and will follow this lead.