Staff Reports
The Biden-Harris administration is at it again, this time proposing a rule that would mandate private insurers to cover over-the-counter contraceptives, free of charge. This so-called “largest expansion of contraception coverage in more than a decade” has Vice President Kamala Harris giddy with excitement, as she tries to put women’s health issues front and center in her high-profile clash with Donald Trump.
Under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare for those who prefer their legislation with a side of disdain, most insurance plans are already required to cover contraceptives at no extra cost. However, to snag those over-the-counter goodies like Plan B or the newfangled Opill, women have to jump through hoops for a prescription. Now, with the proposed rule, the Biden administration is trying to pretend that it’s on a mission to wave a magic wand and grant women access to such medications without having to bother with a doctor’s visit. One must wonder if they think women are too preoccupied to visit a healthcare provider, or if this is just a strategic move to win votes as Election Day looms ever closer.
Biden-Harris administration wants insurers to cover Plan B, other contraceptives at no costhttps://t.co/WbqjugfI2J pic.twitter.com/dsutZ5KtQU
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 22, 2024
The administration boasts that this rule could potentially impact a whopping 52 million women of reproductive age. But while the Democrats are focusing on making reproductive health a central theme of their campaign following the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, many Americans are not so sure that contraception should even be a government line item. Rather, they would rather see discussions on responsible use of resources than attempting to appeal to every voter group before an election.
As the Democrats rally around abortion access and contraception rights, they decry Republicans for their supposed “attacks” on reproductive freedoms. Yet, isn’t it a little outrageous to accuse the other side of extremism while advocating for policies that would allow abortion throughout pregnancy in some instances? It seems some folks in Washington are living in an alternate reality where they assume everyone wants the same unlimited access that they do.
In the midst of all this, Donald Trump maintains that it’s his side that is holding the rational ground. He argues for a federal hand in funding IVF treatments to support families and champions the Supreme Court justices he appointed who imposed limits on abortion. He maintains that the decision to allow states to regulate abortion, rather than imposing a national standard, reflects the will of the people—a significantly more sensible approach than looking to Washington for solutions.
With the Biden administration flinging out this new regulation, it becomes clear that the timing of their announcements is no coincidence. Just weeks before midterms, they pull out the contraceptive card, hoping to garner votes from those more interested in free pills than in serious discussions about responsible governance. It’s almost as if the mantra of “it’s for your health” is simply code for “please vote for us.”
