Sep 9, 2021 - World

France to offer free contraception for women up to the age of 25

Birth control pills

Photo: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

French Health Minister Olivier Véran announced Thursday that starting next year France will offer free contraception for women up to the age of 25.

Why it matters: The move expands existing policy, which covers contraception up to the age of 18, and comes as President Emmanuel Macron's government gears up for the 2022 elections.

The big picture: Speaking to France 2, Véran said the policy will cover hormonal contraception, medical check-ups that go with it, prescription consultations, and all other care related to the contraception until the age of 25.

  • He added that there had been a decline in contraception use among young women and that the reasons were primarily financial.
  • "It is unbearable that women cannot protect themselves, cannot have access to contraception if they want to make that choice because it is too expensive," he said.
  • The policy will cost France 21 million euros ($24.8 million) per year, he added.
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