University of Chicago, Section of Family Planning and Contraceptive Research

NIRH worked with the University of Chicago Section of Family Planning and Contraception Research, in partnership with EverThrive Illinois, to increase access to abortion in Chicago.

In 2013, with NIRH’s support, the University of Chicago created and disseminated an extensive abortion access guide. In 2012, support from NIRH enabled the University of Chicago, Section of Family Planning and Contraceptive Research, to host “Examining Access to Abortion in Chicago: A Roundtable to Identify Barriers & Opportunities for Change,” which focused on the gaps in policy, provider support, and research that lead to barriers to abortion access in Chicago.

They then conducted original research in 2015 that evaluated the compliance of qualified health plans on the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace with the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive coverage mandate, assessed insurance coverage of abortion statewide, and reviewed explanation-of-benefit (EOB) confidentiality procedures in Medicaid managed care and private plans. Their resulting report received statewide media coverage and formed the basis of a presentation on federal requirements for contraceptive coverage for nearly 100 insurance representatives. These organizations also advocated successfully for the passage of Illinois House Bill 2812, which protects confidential communications in Medicaid Managed Care plans.