Emergency contraception education and information programs

(a) Emergency Contraception Public Education Program (1) In general The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall develop and disseminate to the public medically accurate and complete information on emergency contraceptives. (2) Dissemination The Secretary may disseminate medically accurate and complete information under paragraph (1) directly or through arrangements with nonprofit organizations, community health workers, including patient advocates, consumer groups, institutions of higher education, clinics, the media, and Federal, State, and local agencies. (3) Information The information disseminated under paragraph (1) shall— (A) include, at a minimum, a description of emergency contraceptives and an explanation of the use, safety, efficacy, affordability, and availability, including over-the-counter access, of such contraceptives and options for access to such contraceptives without cost-sharing through insurance and other programs; and (B) be pilot tested for consumer comprehension, cultural and linguistic appropriateness, and acceptance of the messages across geographically, racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse populations. (b) Emergency Contraception Information Program for Health Care Providers (1) In general The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration and in consultation with major medical and public health organizations, shall develop and disseminate to health care providers, including pharmacists, information on emergency contraceptives. (2) Information The information disseminated under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum— (A) information describing the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of emergency contraceptives, and options for access without cost-sharing through insurance and other programs; (B) a recommendation regarding the use of such contraceptives; and (C) information explaining how to obtain copies of the information developed under subsection (a) for distribution to the patients of the providers. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Health care provider The term health care provider means an individual who is licensed or certified under State law to provide health care services and who is operating within the scope of such license. Such term shall include a pharmacist. (2) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (d) Authorization of Appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.