White House proposes no-cost birth control

WASHINGTON — Millions of people with private health insurance would be able to pick up over-the-counter methods such as condoms, the "morning after" pill and birth control pills for free under a rule the White House proposed Monday.

Health insurers now must cover the cost of prescribed contraception, including prescription birth control or even condoms for which doctors have issued a prescription. The new rule would expand that coverage, allowing millions of people on private health insurance to pick up free condoms, birth control pills, or "morning after" pills from local storefronts without a prescription.

The proposal comes days before Election Day, as Vice President Kamala Harris affixes her presidential campaign to a promise of expanding women's health care access after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to undo nationwide abortion rights two years ago.