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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  • Women’s Health Policy: Comparison of the Candidates’ Proposals

    Fact Sheet

    Women's Health Policy: Comparison of Candidate's Proposals Download a printable.pdf of this document Bush-Cheney1 Kerry-Edwards2 Reproductive Health Abortion Opposes all abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the woman’s life and opposes use of federal funds to support or promote abortion Supports so-called “partial birth abortion” ban, criminalizing certain abortions Supports mandatory parental consent Contraception No specific proposal outlined by campaign Sex Education Promotes abstinence-only education programs which do not include information…

  • Women’s Health Policy: Are the Times Really A-Changing? – Editorial

    Other Post

    Women's Health Policy: Are the Times Really A-Changing? - Editorial This editorial describes the current state of key women's health policy issues, including reproductive health, long-term care, and Medicaid, and assesses how policymakers might address these issues in the future. The piece was written by Kaiser Vice President and Director of Women's Health Policy, Alina Salganicoff, and was published in the journal Women's Health Issues. Editorial (.pdf)

  • State Medicaid Coverage of Perinatal Services: Summary of State Survey Findings

    Issue Brief

    The report examines state Medicaid program policies regarding coverage of pregnancy-related services. It details state-level Medicaid eligibility and enrollment policies for pregnant women, as well as scope of coverage for prenatal and screening services, delivery and post-partum care, educational classes and support services.

  • The U.S. Government’s Efforts to Address Global Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health: The Global Health Initiative and Beyond

    Other Post

    This report examines the U.S. role in improving global maternal, newborn, and child health, including the heightened focus placed on these issues by the Administration’s Global Health Initiative. It provides an overview of international efforts and a detailed look at the U.S. government’s response to date, reviews U.S. funding trends for maternal and child health, U.S. agencies’ related activities, the contribution of key U.S. global health efforts, and U.S. participation in international multilateral efforts. It…

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

    Report

    Measuring the Effects of Sexual Content in the Media: A Report to the Kaiser Family Foundation This report provides a history of the research on sexual content in the media, an overview of the methods available for studying the effects of media, a discussion of some of the difficulties in doing research on this topic, and specific recommendations for future research on the effects on young viewers of sexual content in the media. This Report…

  • Emergency Contraception in California – Survey Report

    Report

    As the FDA continues to deliberate about whether emergency contraception will be made available "over-the-counter" without a prescription, a new Kaiser Family Foundation survey examines Californian's awareness of and experiences with emergency contraception, inlcuding findings on the state's "pharmacy access " program. California's "pharmacy access" program permits women to receive emergency contraception from participating pharmacists directly without contacting a physician , while the "over-the-counter" option the FDA is considering would allow people to obtain emergency…

  • Emergency Contraception Survey in California

    Poll Finding

    - Survey Toplines As the FDA continues to deliberate about whether emergency contraception will be made available "over-the-counter" without a prescription, a new Kaiser Family Foundation survey examines Californian's awareness of and experiences with emergency contraception, inlcuding findings on the state's "pharmacy access " program. California's "pharmacy access" program permits women to receive emergency contraception from participating pharmacists directly without contacting a physician , while the "over-the-counter" option the FDA is considering would allow people…