The History of Contraceptive Equity
2005- The Cover My Pills Project successfully wins court case against Union Pacific Railroad. Railroads now have to cover contraception for employees!!!
2005- Arkansas and West Virginia pass a statewide contraceptive equity law.
2003- Illinois passes a statewide contraceptive equity law.
2002- Arizona and Massachusetts, pass a statewide contraceptive equity law.
2002- New York passes the Women's Health & Wellness Act, which includes a provision requiring employers to cover contraception in employee benefits prescription plans. This was the most comprehensive women's health coverage law in the country up until this point.
2001- Missouri, New Mexico and Washington all pass a statewide contraceptive equity law.
2001- In Erickson v. Bartell, a federal court in Seattle finds that it is sex discrimination for an employer to exclude prescription contraception from an employee health plan that covers other prescription drugs.
2001- Congress overturns Bush's budget plan to cut contraceptive coverage for Federal employees.
2000- The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission issued a policy statement that it is sex discrimination, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, for employee plans to exclude coverage for contraception when they provide coverage for other prescriptions. To see the EEOC decision, click here.
2000- Delaware, Iowa and Rhode Island all pass a statewide contraceptive equity law
1999- Public Law 105-277 was passed, requiring all Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plans to cover all FDA-approved methods of prescription contraception in Federal employee health plans.
1999- California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Vermont all pass statewide contraceptive equity laws.
1998- Maryland passes a statewide contraceptive equity law.
1978- In response to lawsuits by women across the country, Congress enacts the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Recognizing that health benefits are an important part of an individual's job, the law requires employer health insurance plans to cover pregnancy and women's related medical needs on an equal basis with other benefits.
1977- Carey v. Population Services International, extends to minors the constitutionally protected right of privacy to use birth control.
1972- the Supreme Court, in Eisenstadt v. Baird, grants unmarried couples the constitutional right to use birth control.
1965- the United States Supreme Court issues Griswold v. Connecticut. For the first time, married couples have the constitutional right to use contraception.
1936- Margaret Sanger orders pessaries (diaphragms) from a Japanese doctor. The U.S. government confiscates the shipment of diaphragms. After a long court battle, the Court eventually dismisses the charges.
1916- Margaret Sanger opens the first birth control clinic. She is promptly arrested and jailed on obscenity charges.
1916 - Margaret Sanger opens the first birth control clinic. She is promptly arrested and jailed on obscenity charges.
2005- Arkansas and West Virginia pass a statewide contraceptive equity law.
2003- Illinois passes a statewide contraceptive equity law.
2002- Arizona and Massachusetts, pass a statewide contraceptive equity law.
2002- New York passes the Women's Health & Wellness Act, which includes a provision requiring employers to cover contraception in employee benefits prescription plans. This was the most comprehensive women's health coverage law in the country up until this point.
2001- Missouri, New Mexico and Washington all pass a statewide contraceptive equity law.
2001- In Erickson v. Bartell, a federal court in Seattle finds that it is sex discrimination for an employer to exclude prescription contraception from an employee health plan that covers other prescription drugs.
2001- Congress overturns Bush's budget plan to cut contraceptive coverage for Federal employees.
2000- The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission issued a policy statement that it is sex discrimination, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, for employee plans to exclude coverage for contraception when they provide coverage for other prescriptions. To see the EEOC decision, click here.
2000- Delaware, Iowa and Rhode Island all pass a statewide contraceptive equity law
1999- Public Law 105-277 was passed, requiring all Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plans to cover all FDA-approved methods of prescription contraception in Federal employee health plans.
1999- California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Vermont all pass statewide contraceptive equity laws.
1998- Maryland passes a statewide contraceptive equity law.
1978- In response to lawsuits by women across the country, Congress enacts the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Recognizing that health benefits are an important part of an individual's job, the law requires employer health insurance plans to cover pregnancy and women's related medical needs on an equal basis with other benefits.
1977- Carey v. Population Services International, extends to minors the constitutionally protected right of privacy to use birth control.
1972- the Supreme Court, in Eisenstadt v. Baird, grants unmarried couples the constitutional right to use birth control.
1965- the United States Supreme Court issues Griswold v. Connecticut. For the first time, married couples have the constitutional right to use contraception.
1936- Margaret Sanger orders pessaries (diaphragms) from a Japanese doctor. The U.S. government confiscates the shipment of diaphragms. After a long court battle, the Court eventually dismisses the charges.
1916- Margaret Sanger opens the first birth control clinic. She is promptly arrested and jailed on obscenity charges.
