The Biden administration upholds Trump-era policy on birth control exemptions, withdrawing proposed regulations that would have limited employers’ ability to opt out of contraceptive coverage.
At a Glance
- Biden administration withdraws proposed regulations on birth control coverage.
- Trump-era policy allowing broad employer exemptions remains in place.
- Decision praised by conservative groups and religious organizations.
- Estimated 130,000 people may be affected by continued coverage gaps.
Biden Administration Reverses Course on Birth Control Coverage
The Biden administration has made a significant policy decision by withdrawing proposed regulations that would have expanded access to contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This move effectively upholds the Trump-era policy that allows a wide range of employers to opt out of providing birth control coverage based on moral or religious objections.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the rescission of these regulations, which would have prohibited exemptions based on “non-religious moral objections” to the ACA’s contraception mandate. This decision leaves in place the broader exemptions established during the Trump administration, allowing employers to exclude birth control from health coverage without facing penalties.
Biden admin withdraws plan to expand birth control access, keeping exemptions for religious & moral objections. đźš«đź’Š #BidenAdmin #BirthControlRules @WhiteHouse @HHSGov Details: https://t.co/mWZYyvsoB8
— David Carlisle (@dqc1985) December 24, 2024
Conservative Groups Celebrate Decision
Conservative organizations and religious groups have welcomed the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw the proposed regulations. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a prominent advocate for religious freedom, expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
Conservative groups view the withdrawal as a victory for religious liberty and moral convictions. The decision allows entities like the Little Sisters of the Poor to continue their mission without compromising their beliefs regarding contraception.
Impact on Contraceptive Access
The Biden administration had initially estimated that the proposed rule changes would have made approximately 130,000 more people eligible for contraceptive coverage. With the withdrawal of these regulations, this expansion of coverage will not materialize, potentially leaving a significant number of individuals without access to employer-provided contraceptive coverage.
Despite this earlier statement emphasizing the importance of contraceptive access, the administration’s recent decision appears to prioritize other policy objectives. The ACA’s requirement for insurers to cover preventive health services, including contraception, at no cost, has been credited with reducing unintended pregnancies. However, the continued exemptions may create barriers for some individuals seeking affordable contraception.
Ongoing Debate and Future Implications
The withdrawal of the proposed regulations highlights the ongoing debate surrounding reproductive health policy and religious liberties in the United States. With the elimination of federal abortion protections in 2022, the importance of affordable contraception access has become even more pronounced.
As the Trump-era regulations remain in effect, private health plans can continue to exclude contraceptive coverage for objecting employers. This situation underscores the complex balance between ensuring access to reproductive health services and respecting the moral and religious convictions of employers and organizations.
The Biden administration’s decision to focus on other priorities in its final days leaves the issue of contraceptive coverage and religious exemptions as a potential point of contention for future administrations and policymakers to address.
Sources:
- Biden administration withdraws birth control rules
- Biden administration scraps rules to expand birth control access
- Biden HHS Scraps Proposed Rule Forcing Employers to Cover Birth Control
