Continue to require health insurance plans cover long-term birth control
The federal government currently requires that private health insurance and state-run public health insurance cover all forms of long-term birth control, with some exemptions for religious organizations and closely-held companies. There is debate about whether this requirement should continue.
Arguments For & Against
Pro Argument
Long-term birth control is an essential part of many women's healthcare — 1 out of 4 women use it. It is not right that birth control be treated differently from other essential healthcare benefits like asthma inhalers. Health insurance for workers is earned through their labor. This requirement has been a huge success: an estimated 62 million more women have gained access to birth control with no out-of-pocket costs.
Con Argument
In some religions, birth control is considered immoral. People who hold such beliefs — including taxpayers who fund Medicaid and employers forced to pay for insurance — should not be compelled to pay for something that violates their religious convictions.
Source document: Abortion-Questionnaire-National.pdf
| Type | Organization | Date | Nat | Rep | Dem | Gap | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New PPC Survey (2026) | Program for Public Consultation | February 2026 | 82% | 77% | 90% | 13% | favor |
| Deliberative Survey | Program for Public Consultation | July 2024 | 85% | 78% | 94% | 16% | favor |
Program for Public Consultation — February 2026
Continue to require that health insurance plans cover long-term birth control (with some religious and moral exemptions for some employers).
Program for Public Consultation — July 2024
Continuing to require that health insurance covers long-term birth control.
Related Policies
Prohibit state governments from restricting or banning access to birth control
79% national support
Increase funding for health care clinics to provide long-term birth control for free or at low cost
81% national support
Do NOT make it a serious crime for doctors to perform an abortion before fetal viability
50% national support