Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act
The Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act would modify how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) charges copayments for contraception provided to veterans. Specifically, it amends 38 U.S.C. 1722A(a)(2) to create new rules for calculating and limiting VA copayments for contraceptive medications and items. The bill establishes two pathways for limiting or eliminating copays: (A) a copayment amount tied to the cost to the VA Secretary for the medication, and (B) a copayment amount corresponding to items that would be covered under health insurance without any required cost-sharing under the federal Public Health Service Act (as amended by ACA protections for contraception). The intent is to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for veterans seeking contraception through the VA, aligning VA coverage more closely with protections in private insurance for contraceptives. The bill is introduced in the House (January 6, 2025) as the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, sponsored by Rep. Brownley and several co-sponsors, and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. It does not yet have Senate action or a specified fiscal note attached in the text provided.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The act is titled the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act.
- 2Core change: It amends 38 U.S.C. 1722A(a)(2) to alter how copays for VA contraception are determined, introducing two new subparagraphs (A and B) governing allowable copay amounts.
- 3Subparagraph (A): Sets a limit linked to “the cost to the Secretary for medication described in paragraph (1)” (the text ties the copay to VA’s own cost for the medication).
- 4Subparagraph (B): Provides that for any contraceptive item that would be covered under health insurance without any cost-sharing under the ACA protection described in 42 U.S.C. 300gg-13(a)(4), the VA would not impose cost-sharing for that item.
- 5Policy intent: To reduce or eliminate veterans’ out-of-pocket costs for contraception furnished by VA, promoting equal access to contraceptive care.
- 6Scope of impact: Applies specifically to contraception provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and to the calculation of copays for those items.
- 7Legislative status: Introduced in the House on January 6, 2025, sponsored by Ms. Brownley (with multiple co-sponsors), and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.