2025 became a year of struggle regarding women’s reproductive health, as several states sought ways to prevent certain legislatures from taking effect—those aimed at eliminating the rights of American women to their sexual health.
National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) conducted an assessment of everything that happened in 2025 regarding reproductive health and contraception. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, it eliminated the right to birth control and access to contraception, and a series of measures were introduced that weakened reproductive health rights.
Some States Attempted to Protect the Few Remaining Rights
In some states, lawmakers led efforts to protect the few rights women still had, as these became increasingly threatened. Some bills introduced by lawmakers sought to eliminate them.
NWLC explained that this year in South Carolina, a bill titled the “Unborn Child Protection Act” was introduced, which aimed to grant legal rights from the moment of fertilization in order to completely ban abortion.
According to the organization, this South Carolina bill has so far been the most “restrictive and dangerous.” In addition to criminalizing patients who had abortions, it also targeted providers and those who supported the decision, with civil penalties.
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The same bill included definitions of contraception and emergency contraception that were deemed incorrect, which confused women into believing that emergency contraceptive methods would be illegal.
In February, it appeared the South Carolina bill would not advance, but “in September 2025, state extremists fast-tracked the bill, and during a hearing on October 1, there was strong opposition and public testimony, though not all experts were allowed to speak. The proposal did not advance in the Subcommittee hearing, which ended with a 2-3 vote, and four of the six Republican panel members refused to vote.”
Indiana Bill Targeting Low-Income Individuals
In Indiana, lawmakers attempted to restrict contraceptive methods. Representative Jim Lucas introduced a bill to create a new state birth control program for low-income individuals.
After the bill was introduced, Representative Joanna King proposed an amendment to restrict birth control by eliminating condoms, emergency contraception, implants, and IUDs, according to the organization’s annual report.
“At the state level, more bills are being introduced that allow healthcare providers and institutions to deny care based on personal beliefs,” they noted.
Tennessee: Medical Care vs. Personal Beliefs
In July of this year, a bill was passed in Tennessee allowing healthcare providers—including individuals, institutions, and insurers—to refuse to participate in or pay for medical procedures, treatments, or services that conflict with their personal beliefs.
Tennessee passed a bill to enshrine the right to birth control and fertility care in state law. The bill was sponsored by Representative Iris Rudder and Senator Becky Massey and was unanimously approved by the Senate.
Republican Governor Bill Lee signed the bill, despite attempts by Tennessee House members to have it vetoed, and it took effect in July 2025.
According to the report, laws on the right to contraception were introduced in at least twelve states in 2025. However, lawmakers failed to pass contraception rights laws in at least eleven states across the country.
Virginia Vetoes Contraception Rights Bill
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill on the right to contraception. Meanwhile, state advocates continue leading efforts to expand access to contraceptive methods.
In Maryland, advocates helped pass a bill creating the Maryland Collaboration to Advance Implementation of Over-the-Counter Birth Coverage, which aims to help ensure people have access to childbirth care.
The next step Maryland is working on is to require insurance coverage for over-the-counter contraceptives, and the bill will study barriers to obtaining over-the-counter contraceptives and their availability in pharmacies.
“Everyone deserves the right and access to contraceptive methods, free from barriers, judgment, and misinformation. This right must be free from coercion and political influence,” NWLC stated.
Reproductive health advocates for women continue working to protect and expand access to contraceptive methods, information, and, when necessary, abortion if the mother’s life is in danger.
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