Multiple States Including New York File Brief to Protect Women’s Acces to Cost-Free Contraception

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A coalition of 17 states including New York filed an amicus brief to support Massachusetts’ lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from eliminating women’s access to cost-free contraception under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Currently, ACA required employers to include contraceptive coverage for women in their health insurance plans. Since the requirement took effect in 2012, millions of women in the United States including 3.8 million New Yorkers have access to birth control with no out-of-pocket costs.

Despite the positive impact of the ACA requirement, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed Interim Final Rules to repeal it. The agency’s proposal will allow “employers with religious or moral obligations to deny employees and their dependents comprehensive contraceptive coverage.”

New York AG Barbara Underwood Press Conference

In a statement, New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood, said, “The person who should be making decisions about a woman’s health is that woman – not her boss, and not her government. As we’ve argued, the Trump administration’s rules are unlawful, seeking to undermine women’s basic freedom and equality. We will continue to do what it takes to protect New Yorkers’ right to reproductive health care.”

States highlighted the importance of affordable contraception for women

In the amicus brief, the coalition of state attorneys general argued that “access to affordable contraception is vital for women and families.”