The NARAL Foundation's study shows that only eight states (ID, IA, KY, MD, MN, NJ, TX, WY) have laws or regulations that provide some level of private insurance coverage for contraception and only Maryland requires private insurers to cover the full range of FDA-approved contraceptives. The study also shows that only ten states (KS, KY, MA, MO, NC, PA, TX, VA, WV, WI) require state employee health plans to provide some level of coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices. Moreover, while 97% of America's large group health insurance plans cover prescriptions, 49% do not cover any prescription contraceptives, only 33% of plans cover oral contraceptives, and only 15% cover the five primary reversible FDA-approved methods of contraception (oral contraceptives, Norplant, Depo-Provera, IUDs, and the diaphragm).

"Affordable and reliable contraception is a basic health care need for women; and the governors are in a position to ensure they get it," said NARAL President Kate Michelman when issuing the challenge to the governors at the Winter Meeting of the National Governors' Association. She called the lack of insurance coverage "a significant barrier for women seeking contraceptives."

"The average women seeking to have two children will spend five years trying to get pregnant and more than 20 years trying to avoid pregnancy," she continued. "During that time, most women will rely on one or more methods of contraception. It just makes sense to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives, which will reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and lower the need for abortion services."

Michelman also pointed out the inequity of existing prescription coverage practices.

"The inequity in insurance coverage falls most heavily on women of reproductive age, who spend 68 percent more of their own money for health care than men, with reproductive health services accounting for much of the difference," said Michelman. "Requiring insurance companies that already cover prescriptions also to cover prescription contraceptives is fair and reasonable."

In issuing its challenge, NARAL sent letters to the nation's governors and the mayor of the District of Columbia, urging them to pledge their support for insurance equity by either:

1. issuing a directive that coverage for all five types of FDA-approved contraceptives shall be required of all insurers providing insurance for state employees;

2. directing that such a regulation be issued; or

3. committing to sponsoring or signing legislation that provide comprehensive coverage for contraceptives in the private insurance market as well as for state employees.

The NARAL Foundation is also tracking the number of state bills introduced this year that mandate the equitable coverage of contraceptive drugs and devices. Already this year there has been an increase over last year in the number of such bills introduced, and that number is expected to rise as the year progresses. The NARAL Foundation will issue updated reports on the status of contraceptive coverage laws and the governors' actions on this issue throughout the year.