Women who have been victims of sexual violence will no longer have to pay for emergency contraception like the “morning-after pill” out of their own pockets. The German parliament is set to pass a law on Thursday, as reported by the newspapers of the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Thursday editions), which will see the costs covered by the statutory health insurance.
Under the current law, the health insurance only covers the costs for such medications for policyholders up to the age of 22. The age limit will be abolished in all cases where a hint of sexual abuse is present, according to the bill’s justification.
The amendment was incorporated into the planned law to abolish the fee for doctors’ services, which the three parties agreed on just a few days ago.
The “morning-after pill” is a hormone tablet that prevents a pregnancy. The medication, which is available over the counter at pharmacies, currently costs between 16 and 35 euros, depending on the product. The cost coverage in the case of sexual abuse is a long-standing demand of women’s and social organizations. The Union had also advocated for it in a Bundestag motion in autumn 2024.