Should Congress protect accessibility to contraceptives and healthcare providers’ ability to provide contraceptives?
This bill would protect accessibility to contraceptives and engaging in contraception and healthcare providers’ ability to provide contraceptives and any information regarding contraceptives. There would be precedent in protecting reproductive rights, especially for marginalized groups, who lack the necessary healthcare and already face barriers in their access to comprehensive healthcare. This bill would codify multiple Supreme Court cases that came to the decision that the Constitution does protect access to contraceptives for all people, not just married couples.
Sponsor: Representative Kathy E. Manning (Democrat, North Carolina, District 6)
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How do you feel?
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Support
Opponents say
• "It allows Planned Parenthood and abortion providers to prescribe – both on and off-label – drugs to be used for abortions without any restrictions. Additionally, and again, despite many drafts, Democrats included a definition of contraception that is not limited to FDA-approved products. The term contraception is defined as ‘an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures. This means that the bill creates an individual right to engage in contraception, which can include the use of FDA approved products, but also any other action taken to prevent pregnancy, including non-approved products." Source: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Republican, Washington, District 5)
• "This bill is completely unnecessary. In no way, shape, or form is access to contraception limited or at risk of being limited. The liberal majority is obviously trying to stoke fears and mislead the American people once again." Source: Rep. Kat Cammack (Republican, Florida, District 3)
Proponents say
• "Contraception is key to achieving gender equality, improving health outcomes for women and their families, bolstering educational and economic opportunity for all, and ensuring people are in control of their own bodies and futures. I’m introducing the Right to Contraception Act to safeguard Americans’ right to make critical decisions about their own health and family planning, free from political interference." Source: Rep. Kathy Manning (Democrat, North Carolina, District 6)
• "Our rights and access to abortion are hanging by a thread. But they’re not just coming for abortion — they’re coming for contraceptives, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. While birth control is no substitute for abortion access, access to contraception is critical to control our own bodies, reproductive health care, and futures. Thank you to Reps. Manning, Jacobs, Williams, and Craig for introducing the Right to Contraception Act to ensure that this right is protected. This is an all hands on deck moment and we’re grateful to have leaders in Congress who are stepping up with urgency and conviction." Source: Alexis McGill Johnson (President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America)
