Cortez Masto Reintroduced Birth Control Access Act
The legislation mandates that private insurers cover over-the-counter birth control without charging consumers.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Sexual Health
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Should federal law require health insurance to cover all over-the-counter birth control without cost-sharing?
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has reintroduced the Affordability is Access Act in Congress to require private health insurance plans to cover FDA-approved over-the-counter birth control. The proposal seeks to remove financial barriers by prohibiting out-of-pocket costs for these products.
Why it matters
The bill aims to protect reproductive freedoms by ensuring that patients do not face financial burdens when accessing contraception. By mandating full coverage for over-the-counter options, the sponsors hope to increase access to essential reproductive health tools.
The legislation requires coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptive products and drug-led combination items. It further specifies that health plans must cover non-generic contraceptives unless a therapeutically equivalent generic is already covered.
The players
Catherine Cortez Masto
She is the United States Senator representing Nevada who serves as the primary sponsor of the legislation.
Patty Murray
She is a United States Senator representing Washington who joined the effort as a co-sponsor of the act.
Mazie Hirono
She is a United States Senator representing Hawaii who serves as a co-sponsor of the bill.
The details
Supported by senators Patty Murray and Mazie Hirono, the bill forces private insurers to treat over-the-counter birth control similarly to other preventive services. The mandate extends to all drug-led combinations approved by federal regulators, aiming to standardize patient access.
Timeline
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto reintroduced the legislation on September 24, 2026.
The Big Picture
This legislation extends the coverage principles established by the Affordable Care Act's preventive services mandate to specifically include over-the-counter birth control products.
If enacted, the bill would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for individuals purchasing over-the-counter birth control through their private insurance plans. This change could directly reduce monthly pharmacy expenses for patients who currently pay for these items without coverage.
The takeaway
This reintroduction highlights ongoing efforts in Congress to address gaps in contraceptive coverage for consumers. Patients should monitor their insurance plan benefits as these policies move through the legislative process.
Further reading
For more information on the legislative landscape regarding reproductive health, visit the Sexual Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kolotv.
Live Poll
Should federal law require health insurance to cover all over-the-counter birth control without cost-sharing?
