Maine lawmakers consider bill for insurance coverage of over-the-counter birth control while other states seek to ban contraceptives 

(Portland, MAINE) – Maine lawmakers will hold a public hearing on a bill that would require insurers cover over-the-counter contraceptives without cost sharing. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Poppy Arford (D-Brunswick), comes as some lawmakers in other states seek to ban certain contraceptives in the wake of the Dobbs decision, which raised questions about prior U.S. Supreme Court precedent establishing the right to contraception. 

The Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services committee will hold a public hearing on the LD 2203, An Act to Require Health Insurance Coverage for Federally Approved Nonprescription Oral Hormonal Contraceptives, at 1 p.m. today. 

Maine law requires insurers cover prescription contraception methods approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) without cost sharing. This bill would expand those provisions to include non-prescription contraceptives. In 2023, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter daily oral contraceptive, Opill, which will become available later this year. 

A number of states, including California, New Mexico, and Washington, currently require insurance coverage of over-the-counter birth control without cost sharing and without a prescription. 

Statement from Lisa Margulies, Esq., Vice President of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund 

“Access to birth control is an essential element of reproductive autonomy. This bill addresses both access to and affordability of FDA-approved contraception for Mainers. 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.” 

Statement from Aspen Ruhlin, Community Engagement Manager, Mabel Wadsworth Center 

“Mabel Wadsworth Center wholeheartedly supports LD 2203 and what it will accomplish in improving access to the full range of contraception options for Mainers. Currently, Mainers with private insurance already have coverage without cost-sharing for prescription birth control pills, IUDs, and more. Expanding that coverage to include over the counter contraceptives like the over-the-counter birth control pill, condoms, and emergency contraception will greatly improve access to this essential healthcare. 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. Mabel Wadsworth Center urges the Maine legislature to support this bill and expand contraceptive access for Mainers." 

Statement from George Hill, President and CEO, Maine Family Planning 

"Reducing barriers to contraception—especially financial barriers—improves all people’s ability to control their reproductive lives. We're grateful for Rep. Arford's and the committee's leadership in examining the existing challenges to family planning access and addressing them in a forward-thinking manner." 

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Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in Maine. PPNNE has four health centers in Maine and sees more than 12,000 patients a year.