On Jan. 20 Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a new plan to help New York women and trans men afford birth control.

His plan requires that contraceptives, including hormonal pills, patches and intrauterine devices, remain covered under insurance policies without a co-pay or deductible. It also requires medically necessary abortions to be covered without a co-pay or deductible. Both of these regulations are to stay in place, regardless of what happens to the Affordable Care Act. No matter what happens federally, this plan is a positive for reproductive health in New York State.

When couples have access to affordable birth control, the rates of both unwanted pregnancies and abortions go down. This was seen in Colorado, when women were offered free IUDs and hormonal implants. As stated in the New York Times, the teen birth rate fell by 40 percent and the teen abortion rate fell by 42 percent. There were similar findings for low-income adult women.

When couples can plan their pregnancies, it gives them more time to be emotionally and financially ready for the child. Beyond this, birth control is cheaper than an abortion and the costs associated with childbirth. This is cheaper for both the parent and the taxpayer if the mother needs assistance getting maternal care.

Another point to consider is that many women use hormonal birth control for non-reproductive issues. The pill can help relieve anemia, cramping, irregular periods and acne. It also is used for women with polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis.

Even though the pill is prescribed mainly for these issues, many IUDs, as well as the birth control shot, ring and implant help with these medical issues. For many, these medications treat problems that could severely impact a woman’s well-being.

As a country that strives to be the greatest in the world, making sure all citizens have necessary medical care should be an important goal.

In the end, there are hundreds of reasons birth control should be affordable. Some use it to focus on a career. Some use it because they do not want any more children. Many use it as intended, to prevent pregnancy, regardless of whether they have a monogamous partner or not. Others use it to keep life changing medical conditions at bay.

Since the sexual revolution, reliable birth control has made life easier for millions. People of all sexual orientations, races, classes and religions benefit from being able to control their own fertility. This makes life easier on everyone and hopefully in New York affordable contraception is here to stay.