NCJW Hails Long-Awaited Over-the-Counter Birth Control

PRESS CONTACT:
Jody Rabhan, National Council of Jewish Women
jrabhan@ncjw.org

NCJW Hails Long-Awaited Over-the-Counter Birth Control

WASHINGTON — National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) applauds the release of the first over-the-counter birth control, Opill, now accessible to millions of people. NCJW CEO Sheila Katz released the following statement:

“National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is proud that our long-standing advocacy for affordable and accessible birth control has led to this day: Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill in the United States, has launched. This is the first time that a daily oral contraceptive is available with no prescription needed, allowing millions of people to access birth control. Opill is currently available for pre-order online and will be available from retailers in the coming weeks.  

“Ever since the Supreme Court’s devastating Dobbs ruling that overturned the constitutional right to abortion, access to contraception is in even more danger. There are so many barriers to accessing birth control, including transportation costs, child care needs, lack of insurance and insurance restrictions, and the high cost of birth control itself. Having nonprescription, over-the-counter birth control like Opill is one less barrier that those living in rural communities, young people, women, individuals identifying as LGBTQ+, and people working to make ends meet have to face. Access to birth control is essential to equity and economic security. 

“Jewish text is widely interpreted to be supportive of contraception. At a time when lawmakers and judges are creating law based on one narrow interpretation of Christianity, it is essential for both our reproductive and religious freedom that birth control is accessible and available to everyone. We should all be able to make our own health decisions in line with our personal religious and moral beliefs. 

“At NCJW, we know that religious freedom includes the right to access all safe forms of contraception. Over-the-counter birth control is a wonderful first step to truly achieving reproductive freedom, and our 210,000 advocates will keep working to ensure all forms of safe contraception are affordable and widely accessible.” 

National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is the oldest Jewish feminist civil rights organization working for equity and justice for women, children, and families in the United States and Israel. Through the efforts of our 210,000 grassroots advocates and 50 local sections, NCJW combines education, direct service, and advocacy to affect lasting social change at the local, state, and national levels. We approach our work through the intersections of gender, economic, and racial justice to center those most impacted in a uniquely Jewish way. Learn more at NCJW.org, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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