Studies show that more than 19 million women across the country do not have access to some form of birth control. Currently, Indiana law only allows primary physicians to prescribe hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills, skin patches, IUDs and rings. Lack of access, especially in low-income rural and urban communities, continues to be a struggle for many Hoosier women.
To expand access, I supported legislation that would allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives if the woman is 18 years old or older and completes a self-screening process. It would allow pharmacists to be reimbursed after prescribing birth control to Medicaid recipients, ensuring low-income Hoosiers are not left behind.Â
Women who receive prescriptions from a pharmacist would be required to consult with a physician within 12 months to ensure medical issues don’t arise. Pharmacists could object to prescribing contraceptives based on ethical, moral or religious grounds.
This legislation is an important step to support women and prevent unwanted pregnancies, especially those without a primary care doctor, or who are unable to afford transportation to a different city or county. It now heads to the governor where it could soon be signed into law.
