Affordability is Access Act of 2026
Requires health plans to cover eligible over-the-counter contraceptives without cost-sharing and bars retailers from interfering with access or information.
In the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 11 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Insurance coverage rules affect what people pay for birth control and which options they can use. The measure would require health plans to cover eligible over-the-counter contraceptives without a prescription or cost-sharing, and clarify coverage for prescription options. It would also bar retailers from interfering with access to nonprescription contraception or medically accurate information.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Cover over-the-counter contraceptives
The measure would require group health plans and group or individual health insurance coverage to cover FDA-approved, cleared, or granted over-the-counter contraceptives without a prescription and without cost-sharing.
- Clarify coverage for prescription contraceptives
The measure would clarify that coverage includes FDA-approved, cleared, or granted prescription contraceptives. If therapeutically equivalent versions exist, coverage would be required for at least one of them.
- Protect access at retail stores
A retailer that stocks contraception for use without a prescription could not interfere with a person's access to it or to medically accurate, comprehensive information about it. A retailer could refuse to provide a product if the person cannot pay, including through insurance or another payment method.
- Preserve FDA authority and stronger protections
The measure would not change the FDA's authority to review or approve products, and it would not override federal or state laws that provide greater consumer protections.
The bill cites cost and access barriers: it says 25 percent of current and prospective contraceptive users are not using their preferred method, and that 18 percent of those women cite cost. It also identifies people who lack reasonable access to a health center offering a full range of contraceptive methods.
The bill says existing federal birth control coverage has helped many women, while gaps persist. Its stated aim is to make birth control easier to obtain and affordable, including when a product can be used without a prescription.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026SENATESEP 24, 2026By Sen. Murray with 31 original cosponsorsReferred to Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 24, 2026HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, & PENSIONS NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 11 daysNo hearing yet
- 11 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 11, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 21 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Murray’s record: sponsored 47 bills this Congress. 5 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Tammy BaldwinD-WIORIGINAL
- Michael F. BennetD-COORIGINAL
- Richard BlumenthalD-CTORIGINAL
- Cory A. BookerD-NJORIGINAL
- Maria CantwellD-WAORIGINAL
- Catherine Cortez MastoD-NVORIGINAL
- Tammy DuckworthD-ILORIGINAL
- John FettermanD-PAORIGINAL
- Ruben GallegoD-AZORIGINAL
- Kirsten E. GillibrandD-NYORIGINAL
- Maggie HassanD-NHORIGINAL
- Martin HeinrichD-NMORIGINAL
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Discussion
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