Insurance should pay for over-the-counter birth control, White House proposes

The Biden administration is proposing a rule that would allow women with private insurance to access over-the-counter birth control pills and other contraceptives at no cost. This expands on the federal mandate under the Affordable Care Act that requires health insurers to cover preventative care services. The rule, if finalized, would benefit 52 million women of reproductive age and allow them to obtain over-the-counter contraception without a prescription. It also covers emergency contraception, spermicides, condoms, and other forms of contraceptives. The proposal comes amidst a presidential election where abortion rights are a key issue, with Vice President Kamala Harris making access to abortion central to her campaign. Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, has stated that abortion laws should be determined by individual states.