Women's Group on the Trump Administration's Elimination of the Birth Control Mandate

Moments ago, the Trump Administration issued new rules rolling back the federal requirement that employers include birth control coverage in their health insurance plans. The decision, which vastly expands exemptions for those employers who cite moral or religious objections to providing birth control, will impact the more than 55 million women that have access to birth control without co-payments because of the Obama Administration contraceptive coverage mandate. Under the new rules, hundreds of thousands of women could lose birth control benefits that they now receive at no cost under the Affordable Care Act.

In reaction to the ruling, Shaunna Thomas, co-founder of UltraViolet, a leading women's advocacy organization, issued the following statement:

"Birth control is a medically necessary resource; It is indispensable for family planning, treating menstrual cramps, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and quite literally saves lives. The Trump Administration's decision today is yet another attack on American women, including the 99% of American women who have used birth control at some point in their lives -- and especially the 54% of Black and 57% of Latina women between the ages of 18-34 who have struggled to afford contraception.

"Now is the time for employers and insurers to pick a side: Do you stand with Donald Trump and his attacks on women, or do you stand with your employees and the women who depend on your coverage? America's employers and insurers must reject Trump's cruel agenda and commit to maintaining birth control coverage in their health insurance plans."

For more information, or for interview with an UltraViolet spokesperson, please contact Yasmina Dardari at 407 922 8149 or by email at yasmina@unbendablemedia.com.