In March, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation to protect contraception access in the state. Senate Bill 238 requires insurers to cover contraceptive medications and devices with no out-of-pocket costs and guarantees the right to use them.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin sent it back to the legislature requesting it be amended to allow insurance plan sponsors with religious objections to contraception to opt out of the requirement. In their reconvening, the legislature did not accept the amendment and returned the original bill to the governor for his signature or veto.
The legislature made the right move in rejecting the amendment. Contraceptive decisions should be made by a woman and her doctor, not based on someone else’s beliefs. In the current political and social climate, all Virginians need to know their right to access and use contraception is secure.
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When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, experts warned that other reproductive freedoms would come under attack. In a concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should also review other Supreme Court rulings, such as the right to use contraception. Some states are already working on birth control bans, so it is vital that we protect this right before it’s too late. Ensuring contraceptive access in Virginia can reduce health inequities, improve women’s lives and well-being, and save taxpayers money. Allowing religious exemptions would undermine people’s right to access health care and worsen disparities.
Access to contraceptives is a health equity issue. Those with means and privilege will always have access, but this is about ensuring everyone in the commonwealth can access contraceptives.
Allowing insurance providers to refuse to cover contraceptives because of religious objections goes against the intended purpose of the bill. It would prevent women from having access to vital medical care based on the religious beliefs of people (usually men) in power. The American Medical Association Journal of Ethics states it well: “Religiously affiliated schools, hospitals, social service agencies, and insurers serve and employ members of the general public and are a part of the public arena, with an obligation to abide by public rules.”
What Youngkin and other proponents of the amendment should understand is that no one will be forcing those with religious objections to contraceptives to use them, but the 99% of women who do use contraceptives will be guaranteed access.
Access to contraceptives can be life-changing for the almost 20% of Virginia’s population who are women of childbearing age. The ability to plan if, and when, to have children ensures women can plan and prepare for their lives. Increasing access to birth control increases the number of women who go to college, improves careers and professional achievements, and increases wages, giving many women the ability to pull themselves out of poverty.
Birth control isn’t just used to prevent pregnancy — it is a necessary medication to prevent and treat many other health issues for women. Over half of people who take oral birth control do so, at least partly, for other health reasons. For those with conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), birth control is needed to prevent more serious conditions, even cancer. Untreated, these disorders can reduce a woman’s fertility, meaning that the use of contraception can actually preserve their ability to have children.
And if women’s health, well-being and autonomy are not enough, preventing unwanted pregnancies saves us all money. In 2010, unintended pregnancy in Virginia cost about $506 million a year in public spending. However, for every dollar invested in providing contraceptives, over $7 is saved. That extra money can then be invested in supporting and caring for mothers and children.
To some, guaranteeing access to birth control may seem unnecessary or leading to more “radical” reproductive rights. To me and other women, it is proof our government cares about us, our needs and our contributions to society. It shows that our ability to make our own choices matters more than one person’s religious beliefs.
As many women’s rights are under attack, ensuring access to birth control is just one thing that can transform lives. It can give a girl the opportunity to go to college and provide relief from painful and severe medical issues. Youngkin should listen to Virginians, put people over politics and take advantage of his second chance to do the right thing by signing the Contraceptive Equity Act.
CORRECTION: In earlier online and print versions of this column, legislation referencing contraceptive access — Senate Bill 238, the Contraceptive Equity Act — was misidentified.
Amy Maxson, who resides in Arlington County, is a public health professional with over a decade of experience working at the state and national levels. Contact her at afmaxson@gwu.edu.