State of Access: A Contraceptive Policy Scorecard assesses policy environments in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia, illuminating where access to contraception is protected or restricted through laws affecting affordability, availability, and environment of care. For this work, we define contraception as medicines, devices, and behaviors that are used to prevent pregnancy and to manage other health conditions.
Last updated: July 17, 2025
Below are the definitions of each policy used to evaluate states in this scorecard. Definitions will display below corresponding to the specific policies selected above.
Medicaid Expansion measures whether a state has adopted and implemented Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, which extends Medicaid coverage, including contraceptive care, to residents with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. This policy indicator also measures whether states have implemented trigger laws and/or work requirements for Medicaid eligibility.
