Sponsored by Americans for Contraception

As the nation prepares for the upcoming presidential debate, Americans for Contraception (AFC) aims to bring the critical issue of contraception rights to the forefront. The future of reproductive freedom hinges on this critical issue, and voters deserve to know where the candidates stand.

“The preservation of contraception rights is not just a political issue; it’s a matter of public health, economic stability, and personal freedom,” said Chris Fleming, spokesperson for Americans for Contraception. “Donald Trump’s record shows a clear and consistent pattern of undermining these rights. With the future of reproductive freedom at stake, it is essential for the public to be informed and engaged.”

Contraception’s Health and Economic Benefits: Empowering Women, Strengthening Society

Contraception empowers women to control their health, education, and economic futures, benefiting society as a whole. It plays a crucial role in managing health conditions such as endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and reducing the risk of certain cancers.

The Threats to Contraception Post-Roe and The Stakes

• The safeguarding of contraception rights is critical in the broader struggle for reproductive freedoms. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, in his concurring opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson, called for “reconsidering” Griswold v. Connecticut, which first recognized the right to contraception nearly 60 years ago.

• Multiple states have introduced legislation that could ban IUDs and emergency contraception, reflecting a broader strategy to erode reproductive freedoms.

• The Project 2025 agenda, supported by Trump and his allies, poses a significant threat by aiming to dismantle established protections and reduce access to reproductive healthcare.

• On May 21, in the lead-up to the U.S. Senate vote on the Right to Contraception Act, former President Donald Trump stated he was considering restrictions on contraception and supported leaving the decision to the states. This presents a direct threat to reproductive freedom, especially given that numerous states have introduced legislation that could ban IUDs and emergency contraception.

Former President Donald Trump Has A Troubling Record On Contraception Rights:

• Defunding Family Planning Clinics: The Trump Administration instituted a gag rule on Title X funding, which led to nearly 1,000 clinics nationwide losing funding and many shutting down. These clinics provided essential services, including contraception, to low-income individuals.

• Employer Exemptions: The Trump Administration broadened the ability for employers to refuse contraceptive coverage based on religious or moral objections. The Supreme Court upheld this policy, allowing employers to deny employees contraceptive coverage in their health plans.

• ACA Contraceptive Benefit: Trump’s Administration continuously attempted to roll back the ACA contraceptive mandate, which requires insurance plans to cover contraception without out-of-pocket costs. These efforts were aimed at reducing the accessibility of contraceptives for millions of women.

Project 2025 Promises an Unprecedented Assault on Women’s Reproductive Freedoms in a Second Trump Term

Project 2025 is a comprehensive plan developed by think tanks and policy organizations with the goal of reshaping federal policies and regulations under a second Trump term. Its key components related to contraception include:

• Title X Overhaul: Project 2025 proposes reinstating and expanding restrictions on the Title X program, which provides family planning and preventive health services to low-income individuals. The plan advocates for policies that would ban clinics from providing or referring for abortions and prioritize funding for faith-based organizations that do not offer comprehensive contraceptive services.

• Employer Exemptions for Contraceptive Coverage: Building on Trump-era policies, Project 2025 aims to broaden employers’ ability to deny contraceptive coverage in their health plans based on religious or moral objections. This would significantly impact access to birth control for many workers, particularly those in lower-wage jobs.

• Removing ACA Coverage of Emergency Contraception: The blueprint includes proposals to modify the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) requirement that insurance plans cover emergency contraception without out-of-pocket costs. This could lead to a dramatic increase in the cost of contraception for millions of women.

• Promotion of “Natural Family Planning:” Project 2025 seeks to shift federal support towards natural family planning methods, which are less effective than other forms of contraception. Insurance plans would be encouraged, or even required, to cover these methods preferentially over more reliable contraceptive options.

(Editor’s Note: The views expressed in the previous article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of PW Perspective, LLC. For more information, please visit our Contact Us page.)