PPINK alarmed by Trump administration's attack on birth control coverage

INDIANAPOLIS – Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky (PPINK) is alarmed by the Trump administration’s decision to add two new rules that threaten birth control coverage for 62 million Americans. These rules effectively end the Affordable Care Act’s guarantee of no-copay birth control coverage regardless of who someone works for.

“Birth control is essential health care that benefits women and families across Indiana and Kentucky,” said Christie Gillespie, President and CEO of PPINK. “We’re talking about a fundamental right: the right to decide whether and when you want to have children. And many people rely on birth control to help with a variety of reproductive health issues, such as endometriosis. Birth control is not controversial, but it is under attack by this administration. This is just another example of politicians interfering in the relationship between a patient and their health care provider when making health care decisions.”

The new rules proposed by the Trump administration today would allow any employer, school, or other entity to opt out of providing contraceptive coverage for religious or moral reasons—a standard unprecedented in its vagueness. 

The rules will go into effect immediately, with a public comment period ending on Dec. 5.