Wisconsin expands reproductive healthcare access with Medicaid coverage for over-the-counter birth control
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announces Medicaid patients can now access Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill, without a prescription or out-of-pocket costs, marking a significant step in enhancing reproductive healthcare amid ongoing debates over women’s rights in the U.S.
In a significant move to enhance reproductive healthcare access, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced that Medicaid patients in the state can now access the first over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill, without a prescription or out-of-pocket costs. Priced at an approximate retail value of $20 for a month’s supply, Opill, a progestin-based minipill approved by the FDA in July, aims to provide a convenient and effective contraceptive option amid the ongoing debate over reproductive rights in the United States. This development underscores Wisconsin’s commitment to ensuring wider access to contraception against the backdrop of legal and political challenges surrounding women’s healthcare rights.
Simultaneously, the United States has observed a 10% increase in abortion procedures in 2023, with over 1 million instances recorded, surpassing the figures from 2020. This rise, documented by the Guttmacher Institute, is largely attributed to the surge in medication abortions, which represented 63% of all abortions last year. The uptick is a direct consequence of the Dobbs decision, which led to the rollback of federal protections for abortion, driving more individuals towards medical abortions using pills such as mifepristone and misoprostol. Amidst this scenario, medication abortions have become a primary option for many, particularly in states with stringent abortion bans. With an anticipated Supreme Court decision in the summer of 2024 that could further impact access, the issue of abortion rights, especially regarding medication abortions, continues to be a deeply polarizing subject in the United States.
