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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  • Abortion Fact Sheet

    Fact Sheet

    A fact sheet on current facts and statistics on abortion trends, provider profile, and abortion policy, both federal and state. Fact Sheet:

  • 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…

  • Preventive Services Covered by Private Health Plans under the Affordable Care Act

    Fact Sheet

    Note:  This content was updated on February 28, 2024  to incorporate new FAQs from CMS. Tables 1 and 2 were also updated to include updated recommendations. It has been more than ten years since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) required private insurance plans to cover recommended preventive services without any patient cost-sharing. Research has shown that evidence-based preventive services can save lives and improve health by identifying illnesses earlier, managing them more effectively, and treating…

  • Will 1999 Be The Year For Mifepristone (RU-486) And, An Update on Women’s Other Options for Very Early Abortion – Fact Sheet

    Fact Sheet

    Abortion in the U.S. Most abortions in the U.S. today are performed surgically, typically using vacuum aspiration (VA). 9 in 10 abortions occur within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.5 Surgical abortions can be performed as early as pregnancy is first detected, using electric VA or manual vacuum aspiration (MVA).21 Medical abortions are procedures using medications to induce abortion, such as mifepristone (also called RU-486) or methotrexate in combination with misoprostol. Unintended Pregnancy And Surgical…

  • National Council of Jewish Women features article on “Diagnosing Women’s Health Care”

    Other Post

    National Council of Jewish Women features article on “Diagnosing Women’s Health Care” Kaiser Vice President and Director of Women's Health Policy, Alina Salganicoff, authored an article titled "Diagnosing Women’s Health Care" featured in the National Council of Jewish Women's magazine, NCJW Journal, volume 29. The article highlights the special challenges that many women face in affording and accessing comprehensive health care in the U.S. It discusses the state of women's health coverage, emerging issues for…

  • The Healthcare Experience of Women with HIV/AIDS: Insights from Focus Groups – Executive Summary

    Report

    The Healthcare Experiences of Women with HIV/AIDS: Insights from Focus Groups This report summarizes findings from a series of focus groups with women living with HIV/AIDS. Focus group participants describe their first-hand experience with the health care system, including issues of to financing and coverage, relationships with providers, the role of AIDS support organizations, and challenges in care and treatment. Executive Summary (.pdf)

  • State Medicaid Coverage of Family Planning Services: Summary of State Survey Findings

    Other Post

    State Medicaid Coverage of Family Planning Services: Summary of State Survey Findings Over the past two decades, Medicaid has played a central and growing role in financing and providing access to family planning services for low-income women. About two-thirds of women covered by Medicaid are of child-bearing age, and for this group of women, access to family planning services fills a key health need. This report highlights findings from the 2007/2008 State Survey of Reproductive…

  • Toplines/Survey: HTML format

    Other Post

    Kaiser Family Foundation Survey on Teens and Sex: What They Say Teens Today Need to Know, And Who They Listen To Final Topline: Teenager Interview June 24, 1996 Conducted for The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundationby Princeton Survey Research Associates Number of Interviews: 1,510 teenagers age 12-18 Margin of Error: plus or minus 3 percentage points Dates of Interviewing: March 28 - May 5, 1996 Introduction: Hello, my name is __________ and I'm calling for…