Bill · S. 5539· Senate(119-S-5539)

Affordability is Access Act of 2026

Age: 76 years

Washington

Introduced: 9/24/2026
Last activity: 9/24/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sponsored by: Patty Murray
Cosponsors: - 31 - 0

Health

Introduced
In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill is known as the Affordability is Access Act of 2026. Its purpose is to ensure timely access to affordable birth control by requiring health plans and insurance coverage to include over-the-counter contraceptives without cost-sharing. The bill specifies that coverage must include all over-the-counter contraceptives approved by the Food and Drug Administration, even without a prescription. It clarifies that coverage requirements also apply to prescription contraceptives, though certain rules apply when therapeutic equivalents exist. Additionally, the legislation places duties on retailers that stock FDA-approved over-the-counter contraception to ensure individuals can access and purchase these products without interference.

Yes· 3 of 11

Would women be better off under this?+8
The bill directly addresses barriers to reproductive health by requiring insurance plans to cover over-the-counter contraceptives without a prescription or cost-sharing.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+8
The bill mandates insurance coverage for over-the-counter contraceptives without cost-sharing or a prescription, significantly improving access to birth control.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+7
Young adults of reproductive age benefit directly from increased access to affordable, over-the-counter birth control.