Contraception now covered by Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Starting today 47 million American women will have access to free contraceptives under new provisions in the Affordable Care Act.

That's according to numbers provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.

One part of the Affordable Care Act going into effect August 1st requires insurance companies to provide FDA approved contraceptives at no cost.

Some religious institutions will be granted exemptions based on their beliefs.

The provision is one of eight health benefits that insurance companies are now required to provide for free to women.

Congress passed the law more than two years ago, but it is being implemented in phases.

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of most of the law in June.

Congressional Republican leaders are vowing to fight the bill, threatening a full repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Democrats say the GOP does not have the votes to pass a full repeal of the law.