Bennet and Hickenlooper Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate Copays For Veterans Accessing Contraception

Press Release

Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper introduced the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act to eliminate copayments for contraception covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Contraception is available without copays for civilians via the Affordable Care Act and for active duty military through TRICARE, but VA healthcare only waives contraception copays for a limited number of veterans.

"For women across our country, contraception is essential health care," said Bennet. "But right now, many veterans enrolled in the VA health care system have to contend with out-of-pocket costs for contraception that women who are enrolled in other health care plans do not have to face. Our bipartisan bill would fix this inequity to increase access to contraception for women who have served our nation."

"This bipartisan bill will ensure veterans can access the same no-cost contraception benefit available to everyone else," said Hickenlooper. "Contraception is essential health care and veterans who fought for our freedom shouldn't pay extra for it."

Under current law, only a restricted group of veterans, including 50 percent disabled veterans and veterans below specific income levels, are exempt from copayments for contraception. This legislation will eliminate out-of-pocket costs levied against countless veterans, including women who make up the fastest growing group of veterans enrolling in the VA healthcare system.

The legislation was originally authored by U.S. Representative Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) and passed the U.S. House of Representatives in June with a bipartisan vote of 245-181.

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