Blumenthal & Collins Lead Bipartisan Senate Bill to Eliminate Copays for Veterans Accessing Contraception

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Susan Collins (R-ME) led a bipartisan group of eighteen senators introducing the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act to eliminate copayments for contraception covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). While civilians can receive contraception without a copay through the Affordable Care Act and active duty servicemembers can receive health care--including basic contraceptive services--without copays through TRICARE, VA healthcare only waives contraception copays for a limited number of veterans. The legislation is originally authored by U.S. Representative Julia Brownley (D-CA) and was approved by the House of Representatives in June by a bipartisan vote of 245-181.

"This legislation will end unfair copays charged to veterans accessing essential contraception," said Blumenthal. "Providing these important family planning services to veterans without out-of-pocket costs -- a right already afforded to their active duty and civilian counterparts -- is necessary to protect their health, wellbeing and reproductive freedoms. With more women enrolling in the VA healthcare system and reproductive rights threatened across the country, this measure is more important than ever. I'm proud to lead my Senate colleagues in introducing the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act."

"Throughout my Senate service, I have worked to ensure that America's veterans receive the benefits, resources, and recognition they earned through their service to our country," said Collins. "Under current law, women can obtain contraception without a co-pay through private health insurance, but not through VA health care. Our bill would support women veterans--the fastest-growing segment of our veteran population--by closing this loophole and eliminating co-payments for contraception for those covered by VA health care."

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.

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