Massachusetts just made birth control and prenatal vitamins free
Massachusetts just did something big for women’s health: The Healey-Driscoll administration announced that 500,000 citizens who use state health care can now get free birth control and prenatal vitamins. That’s right—no copays, no surprise bills, just direct access to essential reproductive healthcare.
Governor Maura Healey summed it up: “We know that prenatal vitamins and birth control play a really important role in women’s health. With these orders, we are making it easier and more affordable for people to make the best health care decisions for themselves, will improve health outcomes for women and babies, and will reduce health disparities.”
This policy is a major win for women and families, expanding equity in healthcare and ensuring that people have real choices over their reproductive health. Here’s why this policy is a big deal:
1. Better Birth Outcomes Start Before Birth
Prenatal vitamins aren’t just a “nice to have.” They help prevent birth defects, support fetal brain development, and reduce pregnancy complications. And yet, for many families, they’re an extra cost that adds up fast. Under this new policy, eligible Massachusetts residents can receive up to a 90-day supply of prenatal vitamins for free—a game-changer for those who might otherwise skip them due to cost concerns.
Related: What Black mothers-to-be need to know before giving birth
2. Birth Control = Economic and Reproductive Freedom
The ability to access a full year’s supply of birth control pills at no cost gives women the power to plan pregnancies on their own terms. Research has shown that when people have consistent access to contraception, they have better health outcomes, more economic stability, and more autonomy over their futures. It also reduces unintended pregnancies, which is good for moms, babies, and the healthcare system as a whole.
3. It Helps Close the Health Gap
MassHealth covers 40% of all births in Massachusetts. That means nearly half of the babies born in the state come from families who rely on public healthcare. By making birth control and prenatal vitamins free, the state is directly addressing maternal and infant health disparities—particularly for low-income women who are more likely to face barriers to care.
4. It Treats Reproductive Healthcare as Essential, Not Optional
Let’s be real: No one should have to choose between groceries and prenatal vitamins. No one should have to ration birth control because they can’t afford to refill their prescription. This policy acknowledges what we already know—reproductive healthcare isn’t extra, it’s fundamental.
5. Other States Should Take Notes
Massachusetts is leading by example. If more states followed suit, we’d see fewer pregnancy complications, healthier babies, and less financial strain on families. And let’s not forget the long-term benefits: healthier pregnancies lead to healthier kids, which leads to healthier communities. Everyone wins when we invest in maternal health.
Related: What to know about using supplements for fertility—and when to start taking them in preconception
The bottom line
Providing free vitamins and birth control strengthens women’s health, supports family stability, and enhances economic freedom. By removing financial barriers, Massachusetts is ensuring that women have real agency over their reproductive health and futures, setting a precedent that other states should follow.
Now the question is: What state is next?
Sources:
How prenatal vitamins impacts child development. Nutrients. 2022. “Prenatal Folate and Choline Levels and Brain and Cognitive Development in Children: A Critical Narrative Review”
