Understanding the policy context of contraceptive care is more important than ever. CORE researcher Laura Swan recently published a scoping review of existing research on the impact of recent US federal policy on contraceptive access in the Journal of Population Research.
The article identifies and summarizes 96 studies, most of which related to the Affordable Care Act (55%) or Title X (26%) and documented the many benefits of both for contraceptive access.
Findings show that (through 2019) such recent federal policies have enhanced contraceptive access across all five healthcare access dimensions, but especially affordability. This visual shows how most of the identified studies (58%) were related to the affordability of contraception.
For example, the ACA’s improved coverage for contraceptive services meant that more people sought and used birth control, and people paid less for birth control. Not only was the ACA cost-effective for insurers and employers, but it also reduced inequities in contraceptive costs and use based on age, region, and race/ethnicity.
The article also documents ways that policies have negatively impacted contraceptive access. For example, the ACA raised new confidentiality concerns for young adult patients covered under their parents’ insurance. Inconsistencies and gaps in funding related to temporary changes to Title X also challenged clinics’ ability to provide affordable, comprehensive, and confidential care, leading to decreased use of contraceptive services.
Finally, the study identified important gaps. For example, Dr. Swan highlights the need to fill contraceptive service gaps for military service people and veterans, provide confidential services for minors and young adults, and understand more about policy impacts for marginalized populations.
Read more in the Journal of Population Research here.