Women's Health Policy

ABORTION IN THE U.S.

KFF infographic explaining who regulates mifepristone, showing four entities and their roles: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves and regulates medications for safety and effectiveness; state legislatures pass laws that can restrict or protect access; courts rule on legal cases affecting regulation; and Congress can pass federal legislation influencing regulation.

Louisiana v. FDA: Access to Mifepristone Back at the Supreme Court

Louisiana sued the FDA in October 2025, claiming the FDA’s 2023 regulatory change eliminating the requirement that mifepristone be dispensed in-person—allowing it to be mailed or dispensed at retail pharmacies—harm the state's ability to enforce its abortion ban. This brief reviews the Louisiana v. FDA case now before the Supreme Court, and provides an overview of the other pending litigation involving mifepristone, as well as the mounting tension between states seeking to protect abortion and those banning the provision of abortion.

CONTRACEPTIve care IN THE U.S.

New and noteworthy

Over-the-Counter Oral Contraceptive Pills

In July 2023, the FDA approved Opill, the first daily oral contraceptive pill to become available over the counter (OTC) without a doctor’s prescription. This issue brief provides an overview of OTC oral contraceptives and laws and policies related to insurance coverage.

featured

A promotional image for the the KFF Health Policy 101 Issues in Women’s Health chapter

Health Policy Issues in Women’s Health

Examine the core health coverage and access issues —shaped by federal and state policies—that affect women’s health today, including health coverage and costs, reproductive health services, maternal health, mental health, and intimate partner violence.

State Profiles for Women’s Health

Explore the latest national and state-specific data and policies on women’s health. Topics include health status, insurance and Medicaid coverage, use of preventive services, sexual health, maternal and infant health, and abortion policies. Many indicators provide state-level information for women of different racial and ethnic groups.

The essentials
  • Women’s Health Insurance Coverage

    This factsheet reviews major sources of coverage for women residing in the U.S., discusses the ACA's impact on coverage, and the coverage challenges that many women continue to face.
  • Medicaid Coverage for Women

    This data note presents key data points describing the current state of the Medicaid program as it affects women, including eligibility, reproductive health, chronic conditions, and more.
  • Dobbs: What are the Implications for Racial Disparities?

    This analysis examines the implications of the Dobbs decision and state restrictions on abortion coverage for racial disparities in access to care and health outcomes.
  • State Health Facts: Women's Health Indicators

    Information on women’s health status, utilization of services, health insurance coverage, family planning and childbirth, and abortion statistics and policies.
  • Key Facts on Abortion in the United States

    This report answers some key questions about abortion in the United States and presents data collected before the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

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601 - 610 of 871 Results

  • National Survey of Women’s Health Care Providers on Reproductive Health: Emergency Contraception

    Poll Finding

    National Survey of Women's Health Care Providers on Reproductive Health: Emergency Contraception The Kaiser Family Foundation's 2001 National Survey of Women's Health Care Providers on Reproductive Health is a national random-sample survey of 790 physicians, including 595 obstetrician and gynecologists and 195 family practice physicians, internists, and general practitioners. Toplines/Survey: National Survey of Women's Health Care Providers on Reproductive Health: Emergency Contraception

  • Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Women’s Health Coverage and Access to Care

    Issue Brief

    Using data from the 2001 Kaiser Women’s Health Survey, a nationally representative survey of nearly 4,000 women between the ages of 18 to 64, this issue brief explores racial and ethnic disparities in health care among women. It provides new information on the differences in health status, health insurance coverage, and selected measures of access to care across three racial/ethnic groups of women: African American, Latina, and white. Issue Brief (.pdf)

  • National Survey Results on Public Knowledge/Opinions and OB/GYN Practice/Attitudes on Emergency Contraceptives (“Morning-After Pills”) – Toplines/Survey

    Other Post

    Kaiser Family Foundation Survey on Public Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Contraception and Unplanned Pregnancy: Emergency Contraceptive Pills -- Questionnaire and Top Lines -- The Kaiser Family Foundation Survey on Public Knowledge and Attitudes on Contraception and Unplanned Pregnancy was a random-sample, telephone survey of adults nationwide. The national sample consisted of 2,002 adults (1002 men and 1000 women), 18 years and older, and was conducted between October 12 and November 13, 1994. Responses for a…

  • Women’s Health Care Providers STD Counseling and Testing

    Poll Finding

    Many women rely on their physicians to help them assess whether they are at risk for STDs and to provide them with information about testing, treatment and how to protect themselves. To better understand how often they discuss and screen for STDs, including HIV, the Kaiser Family Foundation surveyed 767 physicians, including 566 obstetricians and gynecologists and 201 family practice practitioners, for the National Survey of Women's Health Care Providers on Reproductive Health. Toplines/Survey

  • Louisiana v. FDA: Access to Mifepristone Back at the Supreme Court

    Issue Brief

    This brief reviews the case now before the Supreme Court, Louisiana v. FDA, and provides an overview of the other pending litigation involving mifepristone, and the mounting tension between states seeking to protect abortion and the states banning the provision of abortion.

  • 5 Key Facts About Medicaid and Pregnancy

    Issue Brief

    This brief examines Medicaid’s pregnancy and postpartum coverage and its support for strengthening and improving maternal health outcomes.

  • Share of Women Age 18-44 Who Are Uninsured, by State, 2011-2013

    Feature

    Share of Women Age 18-44 Who Are Uninsured, 18-44, by State Download Source State-level figures based on Urban Institute and Kaiser Family Foundation estimates of pooled 2012 and 2013 Current Population Surveys, U.S. Bureau of the Census.

  • Abortion Policy and Politics

    Issue Brief

    This issue update reviews abortion since the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade legalized it in 1973. Every state has laws regulating some aspect of the provision of abortion, and many have passed restrictions that are now in effect, such as parental consent or notification requirements; mandated counseling and waiting periods; and limits on funding for abortion. Issue Brief (.pdf)