Women's Health Policy

ABORTION IN THE U.S.

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.

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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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751 - 760 of 869 Results

  • Coverage of Gynecological Care and Contraception

    Fact Sheet

    Gynecological services are vital for women throughout their lifetimes. Pap smears, breast exams, counseling, and contraceptive care are important preventive services, but women often do not get these at levels recommended by experts. This fact sheet summarizes coverage of gynecological care and contraceptives. It focuses on women's use of services, types of providers, and types of insurance. Special emphasis is given to uninsured women and those with Medicaid coverage. Fact Sheet:

  • SexSmarts Survey – “Safer Sex”, Condoms and “the Pill”

    Poll Finding

    As part of an on-going public information partnership called SexSmarts, seventeen and the Kaiser Family Foundation conduct nationally-representative surveys of teens 15 to 17 on issues related to their sexual health. This survey examines teens' knowledge and attitudes about "safer sex" and contraception (November 2000).Summary of Findings (.pdf)Toplines/Survey (.pdf)

  • Emergency Contraception: From Prescription to Over-the-Counter

    Other Post

    This issue update provides information on the process of making emergency contraception available without a prescription. It includes sections on how a drug becomes availible without a prescription;, the over-the counter-debate; implications for cost and use; and safety and efficacy. Issue Update

  • Emergency Contraception on the Drug Store Shelves?Will it Happen? And What Would It Mean for “The Pill”?

    Issue Brief

    The debate over whether women should be able to get "the pill" without a prescription has been going on quietly for years. Now, some women's health advocates are asking if emergency contraception, birth control that can be used to prevent pregnancy after sex, should be available over-the-counter. The reason? While new emergency contraceptive products are now on the market, many U.S. women still don't know about them. And, even if they do, they might not…

  • Third National Survey of Women’s Health Care Providers on Reproductive Health

    Poll Finding

    Third National Survey of Women's Health Care Providers on Reproductive Health This national survey of women's health care providers on reproductive health includes data on prescribing practices and discussion of contraceptive counseling, as well as demographic information. Survey Snapshot: Women's Health Care Providers Experiences with Emergency Contraception Toplines: National Survey of Women's Health Care Providers on Reproductive Health: Emergency Contraception

  • Young People Have Mixed Views On Abortion; But Strong Support For Sex Education And Gay Rights-3069

    Poll Finding

    Young people have mixed opinions on abortion, but strong positions on comprehensive sex education, HIV/AIDS policies, and gay rights, all hot button issues that could be affected by the upcoming presidential campaign, according to a new national survey of 18-24 year-olds released today by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and MTV's "Choose or Lose" campaign. Seventy percent of young people say that whatever their own opinion on abortion, they favor a woman having the…

  • Kaiser Family Foundation National Survey of Kids (and Their Parents) About Famous Athletes as Role Models

    Poll Finding

    With the most recent Olympics and now Major League Baseball marred by reports of the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs, a new nationwide survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation examines the influence of sports figures in kids' lives today. Based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,500 children ages 10-17 years old (and 1,950 parents), the survey found that many American kids are mirroring the behavior of famous athletes - the…

  • Sex Education in America:  A View from Inside the Nation’s Classrooms

    Report

    A series of new national surveys of students and their parents (1501 pairs), teachers (1001), and principals (313) from the Kaiser Family Foundation on Sex Education in America, was released on Tuesday, September, 26th, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Challenging the convention that Americans are reluctant to have sexual health issues taught in school, the surveys show that most parents, along with educators and students themselves, would expand sex education courses and…

  • Kaiser Family Foundation/ Self National Survey on Women’s Health Policy Priorities & Election 2000, Summary of Findings and Questionnaire

    Report

    The Kaiser Family Foundation and Self magazine have partnered on a nationally representative survey of more than 1000 Americans, ages 18 and older, to examine how women (and men) rate the importance of health policy issues from abortion to HIV/AIDS to Medicare in the upcoming election. Highlights from the survey include Americans views about politicians health care promises as well as which candidate Americans trust with the health care issues that are most important to…