Biden Signs Executive Order Protecting Access to Contraception

Facts

• On Friday, US Pres. Joe Biden signed an executive order to protect and expand access to contraception. The development came one day before the first anniversary of the SCOTUS' decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, revoking the federal right to abortion.¹
• The executive order will direct agencies to expand access to birth control by making contraception more widely available through various federal programs, including the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Title X family planning.²
• Biden's order will also direct the federal government to find ways for women to access affordable over-the-counter birth control, such as Plan B emergency contraception, and lower out-of-pocket costs.³
• Additionally, the secretaries of the Treasury, Labor Department, and the Department of Health and Human Services must ensure private health insurers cover all contraceptives approved by the FDA.⁴
• Biden has previously issued executive orders to safeguard access to abortion care and contraceptives, as well as to aid women who travel out of state to receive abortions.⁵
• Since SCOTUS overturned the landmark Roe vs. Wade case, 20 states have either passed highly restrictive policies on abortion or banned it altogether. However, 22 other states, along with the District of Columbia, have expanded access to abortion care.⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²Huffington Post, ³Reuters, ⁴CNBC, ⁵The Hill, and ⁶NBC4 Washington.

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by NBC4 Washington. By passing laws restricting their access to healthcare, Republicans are attempting to limit American women's rights to make decisions about their own bodies. As the consequences of these laws expand beyond reproductive issues, the Biden administration is right to be using every tool available to secure abortion access and restore the rights taken from millions of Americans by SCOTUS' unjust overturning of Roe.
• Republican narrative, as provided by Daily Caller. Biden is towing a delicate line with this new legislation. The Hyde Amendment prevents Medicaid from paying for abortions, yet the President is pushing for federal intervention to provide the treatment. Now the White House is trying to expand federal abortion access to include emergency contraception. The Democrats should expect kick-back from the Republicans if they continue attempting to undermine SCOTUS' ruling in pursuit of a divisive agenda.

Predictions