Democratic governors and reproductive health groups are closely monitoring whether the Biden administration will mandate health plans to cover the new over-the-counter oral birth control pill that will be available in stores and pharmacies later this month. The pharmaceutical company Perrigo Co. has already begun shipping supplies of Opill to retailers and pharmacies, with a one-month supply priced at $19.99 and a three-month pack priced at $49.99.
Opill, which was approved by the FDA in July for over-the-counter sales, is highly effective in preventing pregnancy when taken correctly, according to Perrigo. Advocates and lawmakers have welcomed this development as a significant step towards increasing access to birth control, especially in light of varying state laws on abortion and reproductive health.
However, concerns have been raised about the affordability of Opill, which could pose a barrier for low-income individuals. A coalition of Democratic governors and reproductive health advocacy groups are urging the Biden administration to expand the Affordable Care Act’s coverage of prescription contraception to include over-the-counter options. They also want to see similar policies implemented in federally funded health insurance plans like Medicare and Medicaid.
While Opill’s suggested price falls within the range of what many are willing to pay, it may still be out of reach for some. Organizations like Free the Pill have called for additional measures to ensure affordability and accessibility of contraception for all individuals, especially those with limited financial resources.
Reproductive health groups and analysts are urging the Biden administration to establish a uniform federal coverage policy for Opill and other over-the-counter preventive care services. While some states already require coverage for OTC contraception, a federal standard is needed to reach a wider population. Various options, including proposed rulemaking and a universal billing process for pharmacists, are being considered to expand coverage and access to Opill.
In addition to federal efforts, individual states like Massachusetts are taking steps to improve access to reproductive health care, including over-the-counter contraceptives. There is also bipartisan support in Congress for legislation that would require insurers to fully cover FDA-approved over-the-counter birth control without any out-of-pocket costs.
Overall, the availability of Opill is seen as a positive development in expanding access to birth control, but there is still work to be done to ensure that all individuals have affordable and equitable access to contraception.