June 26, 2023

Biden Signs Executive Order to Expand Access to Abortion-Inducing "Emergency Contraceptives"

On Friday, in anticipation of the first anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson, President Joe Biden signed an executive order designed to increase access to contraceptives. This includes so-called "emergency contraceptives" which can induce abortion by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in a mother's uterus.

The order federal agencies to:
  • consider guidelines that would require private health insurance companies to cover all FDA-approved contraceptives without cost-sharing
  • consider actions to increase access to contraceptives over the counter
  • consider actions to offer more coverage for contraceptives through Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D
  • consider actions to expand coverage for "family planning services and supplies" through Medicaid
  • consider actions that would increase access to contraception through government-funded health plans for veterans, federal workers, private employees, and students
  • research additional ways to expand access to contraceptives through other methods