by Gretchen Borchelt

Fighting for women’s health isn’t easy. But we do it to ensure that all women can get the health care they need.

 Thanks to your help – today, we’re one step closer to that reality.

 The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) just made a major announcement siding with women over insurance companies. They made it clear that insurance companies must cover all FDA-approved forms of birth control at no-cost – and that they’ll be watching companies to make sure they follow the law.

Thank Secretary Burwell for ensuring that women get the health care they need!

Recently, the National Women’s Law Center released two reports about how insurance companies were breaking the law. They frequently failed to cover birth control as required by the law. They also did not cover other women’s no-cost preventive services, like well-woman visits, and breastfeeding support and supplies. Insurance companies were discriminating against people based on gender, age, and gender identity. Some were even excluding coverage for maternity if women enroll in their family’s plan.

 The reports made major headlines – from the New York Times to Associated Press in hundreds of media outlets. And thousands of you signed a petition to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell asking her to make it clear to insurance companies that they need to stop breaking the law and give women the coverage they deserve under the health care law, known as the Affordable Care Act.

The Secretary heard our outrage and she acted.

Thank Secretary Burwell for taking an important step in getting women the health coverage they deserve and need.

We still have more work to do. But for today, we can celebrate what we’ve achieved.

Thanks for fighting with us for quality, affordable health care for women and their families.

And as always – thanks for keeping it personal,

Gretchen Borchelt

Acting Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights

National Women’s Law Center