Happy 2-Year Anniversary, Birth Control Benefit! Too Bad Politicians Keep Trying to Break Us Up.

Starting two years ago today, millions of American women got access to birth control coverage without a copay through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Since that day, an overwhelming number of women have benefited from copay-free birth control coverage. Meanwhile, anti-women’s health politicians — determined to repeal the ACA altogether — have applauded companies like Hobby Lobby that seek to deny comprehensive birth control coverage for their employees.

We won’t let those politicians break up our benefits. Let’s celebrate this two-year anniversary by remembering what birth control coverage was like before the ACA, toasting what we’ve gained since — and bringing what we know to the polls in November.

Before the Affordable Care Act:

Struggles with Cost

Before women became eligible for the ACA’s birth control benefit, more than half of young adult women (55 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 34) experienced a time when they could not afford to use birth control consistently, according to a 2010 survey.

Many women with insurance had copays for birth control pills of $15 to $50 a month, and even greater up-front expenses for long-term contraception like the IUD (which can cost $500-$1,000). But it’s not just about money. The high price of birth control can result in women using it inconsistently or not at all, often leading to unintended pregnancies.

After the Affordable Care Act:

Uniting Women & Comprehensive Coverage

Under the benefit that went into effect on Aug. 1, 2012, new health insurance plans are required to cover women’s preventive health care services with no copays. At that time, 27 million women from all corners of the country became eligible for copay-free birth control for the first time.

Two years later, more than 30 million women nationally are now eligible for the benefit (and once the health care law is fully implemented, more than 47 million women will be eligible). Moreover, women have saved nearly $500 million across the country in avoided out-of-pocket costs for birth control.

Take it from one of Obamacare’s supporters:

Lindsay is not alone. Women from all over the country are sharing their stories of how Obamacare works for them.

Our Birth Control Coverage,

Our Rights

It’s no wonder that access to birth control is important to an overwhelming majority of women voters, according to a new poll. What’s more, women are paying attention to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision, which gives bosses a legal right to deny their employees access to birth control coverage:

• Regardless of their political stripe, 71 percent of women voters say that politicians who support the Hobby Lobby decision are focused on the wrong issues and priorities.
• Moreover, 68 percent of women voters say that elected leaders that support the Hobby Lobby ruling are out of touch with them and the everyday lives of women.

Who’s Got a Ballot & an Eye on Politicians?

These Women.

Many of the politicians who have voted to restrict or repeal the ACA more than 50 times (that’s right — more than 50 times) are the same politicians who support the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Hobby Lobby. But that didn’t slip by us. Women are watching the politicians in Washington and across the country who side with corporations over people.

Here’s to a happy anniversary with the ACA — and to keeping watch on those politicians who oppose it.

Tags: Obamacare, Hobby Lobby, Contraception, Affordable Care Act, birth control