# What the Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act Does

This bill makes sure that military members and their families can get contraception without having to pay out-of-pocket costs. Right now, active-duty service members get free contraception through the military health system, but their spouses, dependents, and reserve members often have to pay copays or other fees when they get birth control outside of military hospitals. This bill eliminates those costs for everyone covered by TRICARE, which is the military's health insurance program.

The practical effect is straightforward: if you're a military family member covered by TRICARE and you want any FDA-approved birth control method—whether it's pills, patches, IUDs, implants, or any other option—you won't pay anything for it. This includes the doctor visits needed to insert or remove devices, follow-up appointments, and counseling about your options. The bill applies to both TRICARE Prime (the HMO-style plan) and TRICARE Select (the more flexible option), as well as prescription contraception filled at pharmacies.

The bill also addresses sexual assault survivors specifically. Military medical facilities must now provide sexual assault survivors with clear information about emergency contraception options and give them access to emergency contraception if they request it. Additionally, the Department of Defense must create a standard education program about family planning that all service members receive during their first year of service and at other times as needed. This education covers contraception methods, how to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and information about where to access these services.

The underlying idea is that removing cost barriers helps people choose the contraception method that works best for them, which improves their health and ability to plan their lives—and the military argues this also improves overall military readiness and the wellbeing of service members and their families.

Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2021

Speier, Jackie

Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2021 This bill addresses Department of Defense (DOD) contraceptive care and family planning services. Specifically, the bill prohibits cost-sharing with respect to TRICARE beneficiaries for specified prescription contraceptives. Additionally, the bill prohibits cost-sharing for TRICARE Select and TRICARE Prime beneficiaries in relation to any in-network method of contraception or contraceptive care (including with respect to insertion, removal, and follow-up), any sterilization procedure, or any related patient education or counseling service. The bill requires DOD to provide information on all methods of emergency contraception and care to sexual assault survivors at its medical treatment facilities. Upon request by a sexual assault survivor, DOD must provide such emergency contraception or a prescription for emergency contraception. Finally, DOD must establish a uniform standard curriculum for education programs on family planning for all members of the Armed Forces. Such education programs must be provided to service members during their first year of service and at other appropriate times, as determined by each military department.