The Affordability is Access Act of 2026 would require health plans and insurers to cover FDA-approved, cleared, or otherwise legally marketed over-the-counter contraceptives without a prescription and without cost-sharing. It would also clarify coverage rules for prescription contraceptives, requiring coverage for at least one option among therapeutically equivalent products. Retailers that stock nonprescription contraceptives could not interfere with customers’ access to the products or medically accurate information, but could refuse a sale if the customer cannot pay. The act would not change the FDA’s authority or processes.
If you have health coverage, the act would clarify that covered over-the-counter contraceptives must be available without a prescription and without cost-sharing. A retailer that stocks these products could not interfere with your access to them or related medically accurate information, though it could refuse a sale if you cannot pay.
The text does not provide estimates of the act’s total expenses or effects on insurance premiums. No publicly available information.
The bill’s stated purpose is to support timely access to affordable birth control. Its findings say that costs and other barriers prevent some people from using their preferred contraceptive method.
No publicly available information.