Expanded contraceptive access considered

The Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee heard testimony Feb. 24 on a bill meant to increase access to certain contraceptives in Nebraska.

LB68, sponsored by Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, would apply to the state’s Medicaid program and any individual or group health insurance policy or self-funded employee benefit plan that includes coverage for a self-administered hormonal contraceptive approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

The bill would require such insurers to cover up to a 12-month supply of a qualified contraceptive, if prescribed by a health care provider, after covering an initial three-month prescription. The measure would take effect Oct. 1, 2025.

Raybould stressed that LB68 would not mandate contraceptive coverage by an insurer that does not already provide such coverage. She said the measure would help women overcome barriers to contraceptive access, such as needing to take time off work or travel long distances to pharmacies in rural areas, that can cause interruptions in contraceptive use.

The District of Columbia and 23 states have passed similar legislation, she said.

“The intent of LB68 is to eliminate gaps in coverage in contraceptive use and decrease unplanned pregnancies by making it easier for Nebraskans to consistently access the birth control they need to take care of their health and well-being,” Raybould said.

Adelle Burk testified in favor of the bill on behalf of Planned Parenthood North Central States in Nebraska. While hormonal birth control is up to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy when used correctly, she said, studies show that one in three patients will fail to refill their prescription if they receive less than a one-year supply — increasing the likelihood of an unintended pregnancy.

“Access to contraception is essential for many Nebraskans’ physical, social and economic well-being,” Burk said. “Nearly nine in 10 sexually active women have used birth control in their lifetime for pregnancy prevention and many women use birth control to manage other types of health concerns.”

Also testifying in support was Mariel Harding of the Reproductive Health Collaborative of Nebraska. More than 100,000 women in Nebraska live in counties that lack reasonable access to a full range of contraceptive methods, she said.

“[This bill] is a step towards filling gaps in contraceptive access, especially in rural areas and among patients in poverty and those who rely on Medicaid,” Harding said.

Robert Bell, representing the Nebraska Insurance Federation, testified in opposition. He said most prescriptions are provided in three-month intervals or less, which helps avoid the costs that can arise with a change in prescription, such as spoilage and lost pills.

“While [we] appreciate the fact that some women may have difficulty getting to a pharmacy four times a year, or may have minor complications when changing plans, we do not believe this burden is significant,” Bell said.

The committee took no immediate action on LB68.