Dear John,

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance coverage of birth control is guaranteed at no cost for 64.3 million women. Unfortunately, this guarantee still doesn’t apply to TRICARE, the military health insurance program. And while active-duty service members do not face out-of-pocket costs for birth control, non-active-duty service members and military families still must pay out-of-pocket for birth control depending on where they get the care.

The Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act would address this lack of coverage by guaranteeing TRICARE no-cost coverage of all FDA-approved methods of birth control. The bill would also ensure all service members receive comprehensive family planning education and make sure that survivors of sexual assault at military facilities are able to get comprehensive emergency contraception care.

Having access to birth control helps everyone make the best decisions for themselves about if, and when, to become pregnant. No one should have to go without the birth control they need because they cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs of the care. Birth control coverage should be guaranteed to everyone no matter where they work or how they get their insurance, and that includes TRICARE. Our military service members and their families deserve comprehensive contraceptive coverage and care. Tell Congress to support this critical bill, so service members and their families have everything they need to make the best decision for their lives when it comes to family planning.

Sincerely,

Mara Gandal-Powers
she/her/hers
Director of Birth Control Access
National Women's Law Center