Convenient Contraception Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2529
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:06:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 2529: Convenient Contraception Act
Purpose
This bill aims to improve access to birth control by requiring health insurance plans to offer a full year's supply of contraceptives in a single prescription, without extra costs to the patient. It builds on existing federal rules that already mandate coverage for preventive women's health services, including contraceptives, at no out-of-pocket expense.
Key Provisions
- Extended Supply Requirement: Amends Section 2713(a) of the Public Health Service Act (part of the Affordable Care Act) to mandate that group health plans and health insurance issuers (for both group and individual coverage) allow enrollees to obtain up to a 365-day supply of covered contraceptives in one fill or refill, at the patient's choice. This must be provided without any cost-sharing, such as copays or deductibles.
- Effective Date: The changes apply to health plan years starting on or after January 1, 2026.
- Outreach Efforts: Within 90 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury must jointly inform healthcare providers and eligible individuals about this new benefit through awareness campaigns.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill modifies the preventive services coverage rules under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which already require no-cost coverage for contraceptives based on recommendations from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The key addition is the explicit option for a 365-day supply, overriding any shorter limits previously allowed under plan guidelines. This ensures longer-term access without additional patient costs, standardizing what was previously variable across plans.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Could reduce barriers to contraception by minimizing doctor visits and pharmacy trips, potentially lowering unintended pregnancy rates and improving convenience, especially for those in rural or underserved areas. It may also decrease overall healthcare costs for patients by avoiding multiple refills.
- On Government Agencies: HHS, the Department of Labor, and the Treasury will need to coordinate and fund outreach programs, increasing short-term administrative efforts but promoting broader ACA compliance.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic health insurance regulations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Enrollees and Patients: Primarily women of reproductive age enrolled in group or individual health plans, who gain easier access to extended contraceptive supplies.
- Health Insurance Issuers and Group Health Plans: Employers offering health benefits and insurance companies must update policies, potentially adjusting refill processes and supply chains.
- Healthcare Providers: Doctors and pharmacists will need to prescribe and dispense year-long supplies, with outreach helping them adapt.
- Government Entities: Federal agencies like HHS will oversee implementation and education efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens ACA preventive care mandates, potentially reducing litigation over coverage denials by clarifying supply limits. It aligns with federal efforts to expand reproductive health access without creating new funding requirements.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges, as it involves regulating interstate commerce in health insurance, a well-established congressional power.
- Political: May spark debates on reproductive rights and government mandates on private insurers, but the bill maintains neutrality by focusing on existing no-cost coverage frameworks rather than introducing new entitlements.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-01: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-01: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Convenient Contraception Act — issued 2025-04-01 — PDF (3 pages)