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 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.

An Update on Medicaid, Title X and Planned Parenthood

This brief provides an update on Planned Parenthood clinic closures and participation in the Title X program amid substantial policy changes resulting in funding reductions. These changes include the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the withholding of federal Title X funding to Planned Parenthood clinics.

SELECTED RESOURCES

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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611 - 620 of 874 Results

  • Perceptions and Reality: How Safe Is the Pill? The Role of the Media, Healthcare Providers, and the

    Other Post

    Q4a. Thinking about where you get information about contraceptionand birth control, was your physician a major source, minor sourceor not a source at all of information about contraception/birthcontrol for you? (Rotate) NationalMenWomenMajor source 48% 32% 64% Minor source 17% 19% 15% Not a source at all 32% 46% 19% Don't know 2% 2% * Don't know 1% 1% * Q4b. Thinking about where you get information about contraceptionand birth control, was nurse or other health…

  • Sex in the 90s: 1998 National Survey of Americans on Sex and Sexual Health 2

    Other Post

    16. Do you think sex education courses should ONLY teach abstinence -- that is NOT having sex until marriage -- OR should courses teach about BOTH abstinence AND give teens enough information to help them prevent unplanned pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases if they DO decide to have sex? 18 Only abstinence 81 Both 8 Don't know/Refused 100 17. Do you think that HIGH SCHOOL health clinics should provide young people with…

  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases in America:  How Many and at What Cost? News Release

    Other Post

    New Estimate of Annual Cases of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in US: STD Epidemic Bigger Than Previously Thought, But Experts Say There Is "Good News" That Higher Estimate Result Of Improved Detection Two STDs -- HPV and Trichomoniasis -- Account for Two Thirds of New Cases; Cost to Treat Current Infections in U.S. Estimated at $8.4 Billion Per Year Embargoed For Release Until: 9:30 A.M. ET, Wednesday, December 2, 1998 New York, NY - A panel…

  • Documenting the Power of Television – A Survey of Regular E.R. Viewers about Emergency Contraception

    Poll Finding

    A national random sample telephone survey of 700 regular ER viewers before and after the April 10th episode, featuring a date rape victim who learns that she still has contraceptive options to help prevent pregnancy, even after having unprotected sex. While in the emergency room, she learns that if she takes a heavy dose of regular birth control pills within three days of unprotected sex, she can reduce her chance of becoming pregnant by 75%.…

  • National Survey on Public Knowledge and Attitudes on Contraception and Unplanned Pregnancy 1995

    Poll Finding

    Nationwide surveys have explored public opinion on these issues, but few surveys have measured the public's knowledge of unplanned pregnancy, abortion, contraceptive methods and other related topics. The Kaiser Family Foundation commissioned a survey of Americans to identify where the gaps and misperceptions exist in the public's knowledge of reproductive health issues, in an effort to help dispel the myths and provide Americans with the facts. The national household survey of 2,002 Americans was designed…

  • Talking about STDs with Health Professionals: Women’s Experiences – Toplines/Survey

    Other Post

    Talking about STDs with Health Professionals: Women's Experiences Glamour/Kaiser Family Foundation National Survey Methodology Talking about STDS with Health Professionals: Women's Experiences was conducted for the Kaiser Family Foundation and Glamour by Market Facts, Inc. The results are based on telephone interviews conducted between May 27 through June 1, 1997 with a sample of 482 women ages 18-44 who had been to a new doctor within the last year for gynecological or obstetrical care. These…

  • Sex in the 90s: 1998 National Survey of Americans on Sex and Sexual Health – Toplines/Survey

    Other Post

    Sex In The 90s:Kaiser Family Foundation/ABC Television 1998 National Survey of Americans on Sex and Sexual Health Methodology:The Kaiser Family Foundation and ABC Television 1998 National Survey of Americans on Sex and Sexual Health is a random-sample telephone survey of 1,204 adults 18 and older living in the United States. It was designed by staff at the Foundation and Princeton Survey Research Associates (PSRA) and conducted by PSRA between April 24 and May 10, 1998.…

  • The Kaiser Survey About Public Knowledge and Attitudes About STDs Other Than AIDS

    Report

    A summary and toplines from a national survey conducted for the Foundation by Market Facts, Inc. of public knowledge about STDs overall and their attitudes towards policy options to confront the spread of STDs. This survey was released at a briefing on Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Exposing the Epidemic. SUMMARY REPORT Download TOPLINE Download