Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell led a group of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief on March 4, urging the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to uphold a District Court ruling against Trump Administration regulations that expanded exemptions to no-cost contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
The coalition argues that these regulations threaten access to birth control and other contraceptive care for hundreds of thousands of women by allowing employers broader religious and moral exemptions. This could result in significant health and economic impacts for individuals and states.
“Both Trump Administrations have consistently attacked women’s reproductive rights and access to essential health care, in this case by stripping hundreds of thousands of women of guaranteed, no-cost contraceptive coverage,” said Campbell. “I will continue to champion reproductive justice and protect the health and wellbeing of our residents.”
According to the brief, more than 80% of women ages 18 to 49 have used some form of contraception in the past year. The average annual cost per user is $584, which could shift an estimated $73.8 million in costs onto individuals if the regulations remain in place. The coalition also notes that states may face increased financial burdens as they provide replacement services through state-funded programs.
The attorneys general highlight that access to birth control has declined since these rules were implemented, especially as funding cuts have affected clinics providing reproductive health services. They also point out that recent abortion restrictions following the overturning of Roe v. Wade have further limited options for those experiencing unintended pregnancies.
The brief emphasizes that marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by reduced access, with people of color and low-income individuals more likely to live in areas lacking comprehensive contraceptive care—so-called “contraceptive deserts.” An estimated 19 million American women, including about 361,000 in Massachusetts, live in such areas.
Campbell’s office has taken several actions related to reproductive health care over the past year, including sending letters opposing restrictions on mifepristone and abortion care for veterans’ families, as well as releasing updated guidance on abortion rights and contraception.
Attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington joined Campbell in filing the brief.
