Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) Commissioner Nathan Houdek announced Wisconsin has been awarded nearly $500,000 in federal funding to evaluate, support, and expand coverage of and access to reproductive and maternal health care. Wisconsin is one of 14 states to have been awarded these funds through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Expanding Access to Women’s Health grant program.
The Biden-Harris administration has continued building upon the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by proposing a rule that would significantly expand coverage of contraception with no out-of-pocket costs for millions of Americans, including over-the-counter contraception without a prescription. If approved, according to the White House, this would be the most significant expansion of contraception coverage under the ACA since 2012.
The Evers administration through OCI will use the funding to conduct an insurer data call and evaluate compliance with the federal contraceptive coverage mandate as required by the ACA. A consumer survey will also be conducted by OCI to provide insight into the personal experiences of individuals accessing contraception. Finally, OCI may utilize remaining funding for a media campaign to enhance consumer awareness of the contraceptive coverage mandate provided by the ACA and individuals’ right to access reproductive health care services.
The CMS Expanding Access to Women’s Health Grant program focuses on addressing disparities in access to reproductive health care and maternal health outcomes. The two-year grant period will conclude in September 2026.
