Women's Health Policy

ABORTION IN THE U.S.

The Status of Abortion-related State Ballot Initiatives Since Dobbs

Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, overturning Roe v. Wade, voters in 17 states have weighed in on ballot measures regarding abortion — some more than once. In November 2026, voters in Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia will weigh in on abortion measures that could change the legal status of abortion in their state. In addition, a measure in Colorado is in the process of collecting signatures.

CONTRACEPTIve care IN THE U.S.

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.

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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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  • Survey on Public Knowledge and Attitudes on Contraception and Unplanned Pregnancy in the U.S., Canada and the Netherlands

    Other Post

    G. Emergency Contraceptive Pills, or Morning-After Pills G1. If a woman has just had sex and thinks she might become pregnant, is there anything that she could do in the next few days to prevent pregnancy, or not? Asked only in the U.S. USA18+ Yes, there is something 36% No, there is not anything 47% Too late to prevent pregnancy (Vol.) 1% Not sure/Refused 17% G2. Have you ever heard of morning-after pills, also called…

  • Emergency Contraception Resources

    Other Post

    Fact Sheet The fact sheet below includes information on EC methods, safety and side effects, and access issues. The fact sheet also provides information women's knowledge and use as well as health care provider attitudes and practices. Emergency Contraception Fact Sheet Survey The survey snapshot and toplines/survey below from 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…

  • Measuring the Effects of Sexual Content in the Media:  A Report to the Kaiser Family Foundation – Report

    Report

    Measuring the Effects of Sexual Content in the Media: A Report to the Kaiser Family Foundation This Report is available in Adobe Acrobat Format Author: Drs. Aletha C. Huston, Ellen Wartella, and Edward Donnerstein Executive Summary The Kaiser Family Foundation has an ongoing interest in sexual health among young people and the potential contributions of mass media to sexual behavior. This report was prepared at the request of the Foundation to examine the methodological options…

  • Two National Surveys: Views of Americans and Health Care Providers on Medical Abortion

    Other Post

    Will 1999 Be The Year For Mifepristone (RU-486)?And, An Update on Women's Other Options for Very Early Abortion September 16, 1998 Briefing Participants: Janet Benshoof PresidentCenter for Reproductive Law & Policy120 Wall Street, 18th FloorNew York, NY 10005Press Contact: Margie Kelly212/514-5534 Jacqueline E. Darroch, PhDSenior Vice PresidentThe Alan Guttmacher Institute120 Wall StreetNew York, NY 10005 Vanessa Northington Gamble, MD, PhDAssociate ProfessorHistory of Medicine and Family Medicine, and DirectorCenter for the Study of Race and Ethnicity…

  • 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…

  • Women’s Health and Election 2008

    Issue Brief

     Download PDF Women consistently cite health care as one of the top issues they want the Presidential candidates to address, reflecting their experiences with the health care system as patients, mothers, and caregivers for frail and disabled family members.  Women’s priorities for health care reform cut across many critical topics, including health insurance coverage and affordability, the cornerstones of the candidates’ health proposals, as well as long-term care, delivery system issues, and reproductive health.  This…

  • Health Care and the 2004 Elections: Women’s Health Policy

    Issue Brief

    Women's Health Policy Download a printable .pdf of Health Care and the 2004 Elections: Women's Health Policy. IssueBackgroundReproductive HealthImproving Insurance Coverage and Affordability of CareBalancing Work and Family Health Care NeedsLong-Term CareClinical ResearchAssessing Candidate Positions Issue Health care is a major issue for women. Their greater health needs, longer lifespans, lower incomes, roles in their family’s health as mothers and caregivers, and reproductive health needs make their relationship with the health care system complex. Historically,…

  • Making the Most of Medicaid: Promoting the Health of Women and Infants With Preconception Care

    Report

    This article examines the evolution and current role of Medicaid in improving access to preconception care for low-income women. It reviews Medicaid's eligibility policy and benefits of relevance to women of reproductive age, and discusses challenges facing the program. Authors Alina Salganicoff, vice president and director of women's health policy for the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Jane An, a research assistant at the Foundation, also examine potential opportunities to use the Medicaid program to promote…

  • Adolescent Health: Coverage and Access to Care

    Issue Brief

    This issue brief provides a broad-based grounding in adolescent health and related policy by examining access to health services for adolescents, their insurance coverage, and the role of state and federal policies in shaping access to care. The brief also discusses how implementation of the the health reform law may affect health coverage, access, and incentives to use preventive care for adolescents.