Velázquez Reintroduces a Resolution in Support of World Contraception Day

Washington D.C.— Today, on World Contraception Day, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) reintroduced a resolution that expresses support for global and domestic access to contraception and encourages Congress and the Administration to study contraceptive deserts and ways federal policy can address the issue.
 
"For so many, contraception isn’t just healthcare, but it serves as a tool for people to have control over when they want to start a family," said Congresswoman Velázquez. "However, accessing contraception can be extremely difficult, especially in communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community. I'm proud to introduce this resolution, which will raise awareness about contraception and help people make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health."
 
Globally, 270 million people have an unmet need for family planning using modern contraception, and in the United States 19 million women of reproductive age live in an area with a lack of reasonable access in their county to a health center that offers the full range of contraceptive methods. Research has shown that some women of color experience implicit and explicit racism when interacting with the medical system, lack of quality information about effective family planning methods, and an inability to access or afford reproductive health care. Effective contraception has been shown to be an important strategy to maintaining and improving mental health and well-being. Access to contraception has also been shown to increase labor force participation and boost economic health and prosperity. In addition, studies have showed that preventing teenagers from accessing contraceptives puts teens at risk of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
 
This resolution has been co-sponsored by Reps. Norma Torres (D-CA), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Lloyd Doggett (D-NY), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), and Hank Johnson (D-GA).
 
The PDF of this resolution can be found here.
 
“There exists globally a critical need for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care, education, and access. The Reproductive Health Access Project is joining Representative Velazquez and others to urge the House of Representatives to address the gaps in care and access for contraception by recognizing September 26 as World Contraception Day.” - Reproductive Health Access Project
 
“This World Contraception Day, we celebrate the FDA’s approval of Opill, the first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill in the U.S. We are on the cusp of transforming how people get birth control nationwide – over-the-counter birth control pills will truly be a game changer, especially for people who face barriers to contraception due to systemic inequities in our health care system. Now, we must double down on our efforts to ensure that Opill is both affordable and fully covered by insurance. We call on President Biden to update the Affordable Care Act guidance and make it clear that over-the-counter contraception like Opill must be covered by insurance without a prescription so that everyone can get the care they need without barriers.”
- Britt Wahlin, Vice President for Development and Public Affairs at Ibis Reproductive Health
 
“The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is a proud supporter of World Contraception Day. This year’s theme "The Power of Options" aligns with midwifery care and empowering women with choice. Unfettered access to the full range of family planning services including contraception is vital for the health and well-being of people of reproductive age, especially those who wish to avoid or post-pone pregnancy. Planned pregnancies, which for most people require contraception, allow a person to optimize their own health before pregnancy and childbirth and improve the overall health and well-being of children as well. Adequate birth spacing lowers the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational age babies.” - ACNM Interim CEO Michelle L. Munroe, DNP, CNM, FACNM, FAAN
 
"As our research has found that few primary care physicians provide highly effective contraception to Medicaid patients and that many lack adequate training, we strongly support expanded training for primary care providers to ensure that everyone is able to obtain their preferred method of contraception.” - Julia Strasser, DrPH, Director, Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health
 
“On World Contraception Day and every day, we say #ThxBirthControl because everyone — no matter who they are or where they live — should have the resources and right to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child. As a practicing OBGYN, I see first-hand how access to the full range of reproductive health services is essential for the well-being of my patients, their families and their communities. Birth control makes so much possible for individuals and society, and it's not controversial: regardless of party affiliation, 85% of Americans support access to all methods of contraception. Thank you to Rep. Velazquez and to all our birth control champions in Congress for continuing to shine a spotlight on this urgent and timely issue." - Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide.
 
“Anti-abortion extremists were never going to stop with ending Roe v. Wade. Now, all of our fundamental freedoms, including birth control access, are on the line. Each of us must be free to make our own decisions about our lives, bodies, and futures, and contraception is a key piece of that. We’re grateful to Rep. Velázquez for her leadership in sponsoring this resolution on World Contraception Day and for supporting reproductive freedom.” - Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL) Vice President of Communications and Research Angela Vasquez-Giroux

"Contraception is an issue of vital importance for every single person in America. National Council of Jewish Women has advocated for contraception for decades, and we thank our partners in Congress for introducing this Resolution." - Jody Rabhan, NCJW Chief Policy Officer

This resolution is also endorsed by Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health, Ibis Reproductive Health, Society for Women’s Health Research, National Council of Jewish Women, Reproductive Health Access Project, The Collaborative for Equity & Justice, Reproductive Freedom for All, Power to Decide, The National Association of Nurse Practitioners, Catholics for Choice, PAI, Center for Biological Diversity, and the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs.

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