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.

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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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  • Women and HIV/AIDS in the United States: Setting an Agenda for the Future

    Event Date:
    Event

    Women represent almost one in three new HIV infections in the U.S. and the share of women among reported AIDS cases has more than tripled since 1986 from 7% to 26% of reported cases in 2001. Women of color, particularly African American women, have been hard hit, accounting for the majority of new infections among women. In addition, many women with HIV/AIDS are low-income and face considerable challenges in obtaining optimal levels of health care.…

  • Teens on Sex: What They Say Teens Today Need to Know, And Who They Listen To

    Other Post

    12. Well now I'm going to read a list of reasons why some people say teenagers have sex. For each one, please tell me if you think this is often a reason, sometimes a reason, or hardly ever a reason teenagers have sex. (First), (Insert item. Rotate items.) -- how often is this a reason? Often a reason Sometimes a reason Hardly ever a reason DK Ref. a. Because they think they are ready to…

  • Talking about STDs with Health Professionals: Women’s Experiences

    Other Post

    Now I am going to ask you a series of questions about sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV or AIDS, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and chlamydia. We want to learn from you how the topic of sexually transmitted diseases, also called STDs, was handled in your visit so that we can help doctors do a better job of addressing STDs with their patients. Again, please remember that your answers to these questions will be…

  • Condom Ads on TV: Unwrapping the Controversy

    Poll Finding

    Ever seen a condom advertised on TV? Up until a few years ago, the answer was almost always "no." But condoms and other topics once considered "taboo" are beginning to make an appearance on the small screen. A number of leading broadcast networks, as well as cable channels have in recent years quietly let go of long-standing policies prohibiting contraceptive commercials. But several others still prohibit advertising for condoms - even though they accept ads…

  • 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

  • Sexual Health of Young African Americans in the U.S.

    Fact Sheet

    African Americans represent twelve percent of the U.S. population, or approximately 35 million people, but have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Fact Sheet:

  • The Use of Mainstream Media to Encourage Social Responsibility:  The International Experience – Report

    Report

    The Use of Mainstream Media to Encourage Social Responsibility: The International Experience Executive Summary The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation commissioned the Advocates for Youth Media Project to carry out a study titled The Use of Mainstream Media to Encourage Social Responsibility: The International Experience. The study examines the outcomes of programs using mass media entertainment to stimulate changes in health behaviors. Entertainment-education is defined as the process of putting educational content in entertaining formats…

  • Public Health in a Changing Health Care System: Linkages Between Public Health and MCOs In the Treatment and Prevention of STDs

    Report

    Public health agencies and managed care organizations share responsibility for the health of the populations they serve. Their relationships are particularly important in the area of STDs. This study analyzes the evolving relationships between managed care organizations and public health agencies in how they manage the prevention, treatment, and tracking of STDs. Report

  • Agenda-20000418-Agendaapril_-doc

    Other Post

    class=normal> The Gender of Politics:How (And How Much) Will Women Influence Election 2000? Tuesday, April 18th9:30 am - 11:15 amBroadway Millennium Hotel44th and Broadway, New York City 9:30 am Registration 9:40 am Welcome/Introductions Tina Hoff, Director of Public Health Information and Communications, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation 9:45 am The Gender of Politics: How (And How Much) Will Women Influence Election 2000? Who Is the "Woman Voter?" What Issues Does "She" Care About? Mollyann Brodie,…