[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 15, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2774-H2775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1415
             EQUAL ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION FOR VETERANS ACT

  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 239) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for 
limitations on copayments for contraception furnished by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 239

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Equal Access to 
     Contraception for Veterans Act''.

     SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON COPAYMENTS FOR CONTRACEPTION.

       Section 1722A(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``to pay'' and all that follows through the 
     period and inserting ``to pay--''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
       ``(A) an amount in excess of the cost to the Secretary for 
     medication described in paragraph (1); or
       ``(B) an amount for any contraceptive item for which 
     coverage under health insurance coverage is required without 
     the imposition of any cost-sharing requirement pursuant to 
     section 2713(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 300gg-13(a)(4)).''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) each 
will control 20 minutes.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 239.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, contraception access is a crucial element of 
preventative healthcare and reduces the likelihood that a woman will 
live in poverty. Copay-free access to contraception is covered under 
every insurance program in this country, except at the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.
  H.R. 239, the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, would 
eliminate copays on contraceptive items at the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. I thank Congresswoman Brownley for introducing this bill and 
for her efforts as chair of the Subcommittee on Health and the Women 
Veterans Task Force.
  Contraception is already widely available at VA, and veterans 
enrolled at VA can obtain oral contraceptions, shots, skin patches, 
vaginal rings, and long-acting reversible contraceptives, such as 
implants or intrauterine devices. In addition, the VA pharmacy 
dispenses over-the-counter contraceptives, including condoms and 
emergency contraception.
  Even a small copay can be insurmountable for a veteran struggling to 
make ends meet. Eliminating copays ensures parity with both Federal 
insurers and private insurers, as mandated under the Affordable Care 
Act. Most of all, it eliminates an unnecessary financial burden on our 
veterans.
  Furthermore, we know also that every tax dollar spent on family 
planning, such as contraception, ultimately saves seven times that 
amount.
  Passing this bill is an essential element of both meeting the health 
and economic well-being of our Nation's veterans.
  This legislation has the support of the VA, broad VSO support, and 
passed on suspension last Congress.
  Again, I thank Chairwoman Julia Brownley for her leadership on this 
issue, and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 239.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 239, the Equal Access 
to Contraception for Veterans Act.
  The bill would prohibit the VA from charging copayments to veterans 
for contraception.
  Women are volunteering to serve our country in uniform in record 
numbers. When they separate from the service, they are seeking care 
from the VA in record numbers as well. Ensuring that those women 
receive the recognition, respect, and welcome they are owed is one of 
our highest priorities.
  This bill would further that goal. I am glad to support it here 
today.
  Copayments have been prohibited for contraception in the private 
sector for many years. This bill would bring the VA healthcare system 
in line with that precedent.
  This bill passed the committee last year with unanimous, bipartisan 
support. One of those supporters was the former Republican leader of 
this committee, Dr. Roe. Dr. Roe, who is an OB/GYN, has decades of 
experience with women's health and reproductive care. Like me, he is 
also a steadfast defender of pro-life principles.
  This bill also passed the House last Congress by voice vote. I hope 
that it can do so again this Congress.
  The Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act was introduced by 
Congresswoman Brownley. I thank her for her continued efforts on behalf 
of women veterans and for introducing the bill.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
to join me in voting for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.

[[Page H2775]]

  

  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Brownley), my good friend, the chairwoman of the 
Subcommittee on Health, and also the author of this important 
legislation.
  Ms. BROWNLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 239, the 
Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, my bill to ensure that 
veterans have access to contraception coverage without any copay.
  I thank the chairman for working with me to advance this legislation.
  Because of the Affordable Care Act, women using civilian health 
insurance may access basic contraceptive services, like the pill or an 
IUD, without any copay. Active Duty servicemembers can also receive 
contraceptive care without any copay.

  However, women veterans who receive healthcare through the VA do not 
have access to the same benefit.
  Clearly, we need to fix this inequity.
  The benefits of contraception are widely recognized.
  Choosing when, or if, to have a family is essential to women's health 
and to their economic security.
  Today, there are two million women veterans living in the United 
States, and women compromise the fastest growing subpopulation within 
the military and veteran populations; yet many of their health needs go 
unaddressed in a VA system that has not evolved to equitably serve a 
rapidly changing population.
  As chairwoman of the Women Veterans Task Force and chair of the House 
Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, I have worked to identify 
disparities in healthcare for women veterans and, where necessary, 
introduce, advocate for, and pass legislation that eliminates these 
gaps.
  Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country. It is past time 
that we ensure that they get the equitable healthcare they have earned 
and deserve.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 239.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this 
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Ranking Member Bost for 
pointing out that the previous ranking member and previous chairman of 
this committee, an OB/GYN, Representative Roe, stood in firm support of 
this legislation. I know him to also be someone of very firm pro-life 
convictions. I am very proud of the bipartisan support that has 
gathered around Ms. Brownley's legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 239.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ROSENDALE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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