Convenient Contraception Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1239
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-01: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:49:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Convenient Contraception Act" (S. 1239) aims to improve access to contraceptives by requiring health insurance plans to offer extended supplies without additional costs, building on existing federal requirements for preventive health services.
Key Provisions
- Extended Supply Option: Amends Section 2713(a) of the Public Health Service Act (part of the Affordable Care Act, or ACA) to mandate that group health plans and health insurance issuers providing group or individual coverage must allow enrollees to obtain up to a 365-day (one-year) supply of contraceptives in a single fill or refill.
- No Cost-Sharing: This extended supply must be provided without any out-of-pocket costs (cost-sharing, such as copays or deductibles) for contraceptives that are already required to be covered at no cost under current law.
- Effective Date: The requirement applies to health plan years starting on or after January 1, 2026.
- Outreach Requirement: Within 90 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury must jointly conduct outreach to educate healthcare providers and current or potential enrollees in group health plans or individual coverage about this new benefit.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under the ACA, non-grandfathered health plans must cover recommended preventive services, including contraceptives, without cost-sharing. This bill expands that by specifically requiring insurers to offer a full-year supply option, regardless of any clinical guidelines that might otherwise limit supply durations (e.g., standard 30- or 90-day prescriptions).
- It does not create new coverage mandates but modifies how existing contraceptive coverage is delivered, emphasizing enrollee choice for longer supplies.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Enrollees, particularly women of reproductive age, may benefit from fewer doctor visits and pharmacy trips, potentially lowering personal costs and improving convenience in managing contraception. This could enhance adherence to birth control and support family planning.
- On Government Agencies: HHS, the Department of Labor, and the Treasury will need to allocate resources for outreach efforts, such as public campaigns or provider notifications, but no ongoing enforcement role is specified beyond existing ACA oversight.
- On Health Insurers and Plans: Insurers may face minor administrative adjustments to prescription fulfillment processes, though the bill does not impose new reimbursement requirements.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the legislation focuses solely on domestic U.S. health policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Enrollees and Potential Enrollees: Individuals covered by group or individual health insurance, especially those needing contraceptives.
- Healthcare Providers: Doctors and pharmacists who prescribe and dispense medications, as they will need to facilitate year-long supplies.
- Health Insurers and Group Health Plans: Entities offering coverage, required to implement the supply option without cost barriers.
- Federal Agencies: HHS, Labor, and Treasury, responsible for initial outreach and potential guidance on compliance.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens ACA preventive care mandates by clarifying and expanding access to contraceptives, potentially reducing legal challenges over coverage denials. It aligns with guidelines from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which recommend contraceptive coverage.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts with constitutional principles, as it regulates private health insurance under Congress's commerce clause authority, similar to other ACA provisions upheld by the Supreme Court.
- Political: Supports broader efforts to advance reproductive healthcare access, co-sponsored by 16 Democratic senators; it may face debate over federal overreach into prescription practices but avoids controversial issues like over-the-counter mandates or employer exemptions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (16)
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-01: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-04-01: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Convenient Contraception Act — issued 2025-04-01 — PDF (3 pages)