Bill would require coverage and store access for nonprescription birth control

The Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury would clarify that coverage includes approved over-the-counter contraceptives, even without a prescription. The clarification applies to contraceptives covered under the federal health coverage requirement. For prescription contraceptives with therapeutic equivalents, coverage would be required for only one equivalent product.

Retailers that stock nonprescription contraception would not be allowed to interfere with someone's access to it or to medically accurate, complete information about it. This rule applies to retailers that stock contraception the FDA approves, clears, grants, or otherwise allows to be sold without a prescription. A retailer could refuse to provide a product if the person cannot pay directly, through insurance, or by another payment method.