WASHINGTON - February 1 - Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the Obama administration’s new regulations to implement the contraceptive-coverage policy reinforce the White House’s commitment to women’s health.

Based on an initial review, NARAL Pro-Choice America is optimistic that these new draft regulations will make near-universal contraceptive coverage a reality.

“Today’s draft regulation affirms yet again the Obama administration’s commitment to fulfilling the full promise of its historic contraception policy,” said Hogue. “Thanks to this commitment, most American women will get birth-control coverage without extra expense. Increased access to birth control is a huge win for women and is necessary to prevent unintended pregnancy--a goal on which both pro-choice and anti-choice people ought to agree.”

Hogue also said her organization’s member activists continue to take public action in support of the administration’s contraceptive-coverage policy. Last year, NARAL Pro-Choice America spent approximately $250,000 to air radio ads in support of the policy.

“Our ultimate goal is to improve the lives of all women by providing them the freedom to choose when and whether to have children,” Hogue continued. “We will watch closely as the policy is implemented by health plans in the coming months to ensure this regulation will do just that.”