A landmark national voter survey conducted by Impact Research and Echelon Insights on behalf of Center Forward reveals broad, bipartisan support for women’s health care access and a strong consensus that policymakers should protect over-the-counter emergency contraception. The survey, fielded January 12-16, 2026, among 1,206 registered voters nationwide, underscores a clear public mandate on women’s health that transcends party affiliation.
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Key Findings from the 2026 Women’s Health Mandate
“This survey delivers an unmistakable message from American voters: women’s health care deserves greater attention and protection, and that view is shared by Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike,” said Tara Evans, Marketing Director for Plan B. “The data makes clear that policymakers who ensure access to women’s health care including emergency contraception, are squarely aligned with where the American public stands.”
The findings reveal that while an overwhelming 9-in-10 voters agree that women have unique health needs deserving of specific attention, less than 1-in-3 believe the current health care system is doing a good or very good job of meeting those needs.
KEY FINDINGS:
Voters across the political spectrum are united in their support for women’s health access:
- 83% of voters agree that emergency contraception, like Plan B, should be easily accessible for women, including 72% of Republican voters.
- 72% of voters agree that policymakers should protect access to birth control, including Plan B emergency contraception, with support from 65% of Republicans, 70% of independents, and 80% of Democrats.
- 92% of all voters agree that women and men are different and therefore women have unique health concerns that require specific care and attention.
- More than 9-in-10 voters say it is very or somewhat important for policymakers to ensure women have access to screenings for women-specific cancers (96%), cardiovascular care (96%), prenatal care (95%), gynecological care (94%), and postpartum care (94%).
- 76% of voters believe that emergency contraception should remain over the counter and accessible like other over-the-counter medications.
- Only 31% of voters believe the U.S. health care system does a very good or good job meeting the health needs of women.
- Half of all women surveyed say the health care system does not pay enough attention to their health issues.
The survey also reveals that voters do not see emergency contraception as a divisive issue. Among the 16% of voters who believe it should be more controlled or banned, 57% say policymakers should focus on other issues first, signaling that even skeptics do not view restrictions on emergency contraception as a priority.
“Plan B One-Step has long believed that access to emergency contraception is a fundamental component of women’s health care,” added Evans. “These survey results confirm that this is not a partisan issue. It is a women’s health issue, and Americans want their elected officials to protect that access.”
The data also highlights a persistent and troubling gap between the care women say they need and what the current system delivers. Voters rated the health care system as doing a poor job of meeting women’s health needs in the period just before, during, and after menopause (41%), postpartum (38%), and when seeking to prevent pregnancy (35%). Gen Z and Millennial voters were particularly likely to say the system falls short during the reproductive years.
The survey was conducted by Impact Research and Echelon Insights on behalf of Center Forward, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points. Full topline results are available at center-forward.org.
About Plan B One-Step
Plan B One-Step is a backup method of birth control used to help prevent unintended pregnancy after unprotected sex or if the usual method of birth control fails. It is not an abortion pill and will not impact implantation or harm an existing pregnancy. Emergency contraception, like Plan B, is used within-72-hours after unprotected sex. The sooner it is taken, the better it works. Available without a prescription or ID at retailers nationwide, Plan B is safe, legal, and accessible in all 50 states. These findings are part of The 2026 Women’s Health Mandate, a five-part bipartisan data series on women’s health care in America, conducted by Impact Research and Echelon Insights for Center Forward.
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