CVS counters Texas ‘tampon tax’ with 25% off of menstrual products

CVS Health will reduce the cost of its branded menstrual products by 25% in Texas to offset a state “tampon tax.” The price reduction will occur in 12 states where the company said it can legally pay on behalf of the consumer. CVS Health will also partner with national organizations working to eliminate taxes on menstrual products in some two dozen other states, the company said. Starting this month, CVS will pay the tax on period products bought online or in-store in Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia. The move isn’t unusual for CVS, which has taken stances on health-related issues in the past, said Jake White, vice president of merchandising and consumer health care. He cited the company’s removal of tobacco products from its stores and altered images from its in-store and online beauty advertisements.

“We think that, in the industry, there’s been sort of a one size fits all approach to health care, and men’s and women’s issues are treated similarly,” White said. “But really, women’s unique health challenges are historically underrecognized and underappreciated.” The Texas Menstrual Equity Coalition argues that pads and tampons should be considered wound care products like bandages and eye patches, which aren’t subject to tax. In August, Gov. Greg Abbott, Comptroller Glenn Hegar and others said they support removing the tax, a measure that has stalled in the Texas Legislature for six years. Hegar’s office estimated the state would lose out on around $28.6 million in revenue over the next two years by eliminating the tax. Hegar said that’s a small amount relative to the state’s overall revenue outlook. The next state legislative session begins in January.