FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 22, 2014

Contact: Audrey Sandusky, 202-293-3114 ext. 207

Administration Releases Interim Final Rule Expanding Contraceptive Coverage Accommodation

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) issued the following statement in response to the Obama administration’s revision to the contraceptive coverage accommodation, attributed to NFPRHA’s President & CEO, Clare Coleman:

“Today’s rulemaking is designed to help ensure that women impacted by the Supreme Court’s recent decisions undermining contraceptive coverage can continue to access these important preventive health services  without financial barriers.

“NFPRHA appreciates the administration’s efforts to balance women’s access to family planning with religious liberty. Revising the accommodation to address the Court’s rulings in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., and Wheaton College v. Burwell, may be the most feasible step available at this time toward ensuring that impacted women can continue to have their essential health services covered without additional financial barriers. 

“The need for family planning services and supplies without cost barriers cannot be denied. Half of all pregnancies in the United States each year are unintended. Research shows that any cost-sharing reduces the likelihood that people will access preventive care like contraception, so insurance coverage with no cost-sharing is essential to expanding correct and consistent use of contraception.

“I urge Congress do its part and pass the ‘Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act,’ so that no woman is denied access to family planning assistance simply because of where she works.”

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The National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) is a membership organization representing the nation's family planning providers—nurses, nurse practitioners, administrators and other key health care professionals. For 41 years, NFPRHA members have provided high-quality preventive health care services in thousands of health centers to millions of women and men annually. Everyday our members help people act responsibly, stay healthy and plan for strong families.