Bill Overview
Title: Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act
Description: This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requiring payment from a veteran for any contraceptive item that is required to be covered by health insurance plans without a cost-sharing requirement.
Sponsors: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans accessing VA healthcare services
Estimated Size: 200000
- The legislation specifically targets veterans who receive healthcare services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 19 million veterans in the United States.
- Not all veterans are female or require contraceptive services, but the bill applies to those who do.
- The bill ensures that veterans who need contraception do not face any financial barriers, aligning their VA benefits with those of civilians who get contraception coverage without copay under standard health plans.
- Globally, VA policies do not apply, so non-U.S. veterans are not affected by this bill.
Reasoning
- The policy targets a relatively narrow subset of the veteran population, specifically those who require contraceptive services. This is predominantly women, but also affects others requiring contraception for different medical reasons.
- The federal budget allocated has to cover the cost of providing contraceptive services without charge to these veterans, requiring careful consideration of program size to remain within budget.
- Contraception access is linked to wellbeing through financial relief, increased family planning control, and associated health benefits.
- Most veterans, especially male veterans who do not need contraceptive services, won't be impacted by the policy.
- Some veterans may already have access to affordable contraception through other health plans that cover the costs. Those individuals might not see a change in wellbeing.
- The wellbeing improvements will generally reflect in stress reduction and increased satisfaction from having removed cost barriers to necessary healthcare.
Simulated Interviews
Veteran affairs nurse (San Diego, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy change offers me peace of mind that I won't have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses for contraceptives.
- I can focus more on my career and less on financial stress regarding my healthcare needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Chicago, IL)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it doesn't affect me directly, I'm supportive as it ensures women veterans get equal healthcare access.
- It's a positive step for veteran healthcare equality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will help me immensely in juggling my studies and health without the extra financial burden.
- It's a relief knowing that contraceptive costs won't tighten my budget further.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Small business owner (Boston, MA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a small business owner, this policy helps reduce healthcare costs, allowing me to invest more in my business and wellbeing.
- I'm grateful for the policy making contraceptives affordable without extra fees.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is commendable, but it doesn't affect me. I'm glad it helps those who need it.
- More veterans should get the healthcare they deserve.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
VA administrative assistant (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Helps me stretch my salary further without worrying about family planning costs.
- Appreciate the VA aligning more closely with civilian health plan benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Research scientist (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is inclusive and respects my healthcare needs without financial stress.
- Knowing my contraceptives are covered allows me to focus on my career and personal life efficiently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Therapist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy change won't affect me personally, as I have private insurance, but I support it for those who need it.
- Veterans should have comprehensive healthcare without cost barriers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Teacher (Denver, CO)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm relieved that contraceptive costs won't compete with other financial needs.
- This helps improve my quality of life, offering financial betterment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Freelancer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it’s important for those who need it, it doesn't directly impact me.
- I'd support similar support structures for other veteran health services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $60000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $80000000)
Year 2: $63000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $84000000)
Year 3: $66000000 (Low: $44000000, High: $88000000)
Year 5: $72000000 (Low: $48000000, High: $96000000)
Year 10: $84000000 (Low: $56000000, High: $112000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $67000000, High: $134000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy supports aligning VA healthcare benefits with civilian policies on contraceptive cost sharing.
- The cost depends heavily on the uptake rate among eligible veterans, as well as potential shifts in contraceptive method preferences.
- There may be long-term healthcare savings from reduced unintended pregnancies among veterans.