top of page

Planned Parenthood of Michigan Applauds Gov. Whitmer for Signing Contraception Equity Bills Into Law

Laws will bolster access to birth control by allowing pharmacists to prescribe the medication


LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a pair of bills today that will remove barriers to birth control and emergency contraception. House Bills 5435 and 5436 expand the types of providers who can prescribe birth control and emergency contraception to include pharmacists and require insurers to cover the prescriptions. The bills were sponsored by Reps. Stephanie A. Young and Kara Hope, respectively, and will go into effect in April.

 

“Thousands of Michiganders rely on birth control and emergency contraception to manage their health and plan their families, but many struggle to reliably access this essential health care,” said Ashlea Phenicie, Chief Advocacy Officer of Planned Parenthood of Michigan and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan. “This legislation means patients who cannot easily reach a Planned Parenthood health center or primary care physician can access contraception at their local pharmacy instead. We are grateful to our legislative champions for prioritizing this legislation. As we brace for attacks on sexual and reproductive health care under a second Trump Administration, every step we can take to preserve and expand access to contraception is critical.” 

 

Eight out of ten women, or 79.8%, have used birth control pills at some point in their lives, according to the CDC. Two out of ten, or 23.5%, have used emergency contraception, also sometimes referred to as the “morning after pill.”

 

Michiganders with low incomes, rural residents, and people living in health care deserts face some of the greatest challenges in finding providers who can prescribe contraception. Their local pharmacy may be closer or have greater appointment availability than a primary care physician, making pharmacists a better option for some.

 

The people who already struggle the most to access reproductive health care are the same groups who will be most harmed by the Trump Administration’s anticipated attacks on reproductive freedom. His administration is poised to move quickly to slash federal funding for family planning services — just as they did in 2019 — that thousands of residents rely on for basic health care.

 

In response to looming threats to reproductive health care access, PPMI launched a new Patient Care Fund to help offset the cost of patients’ care. More than half a million dollars have already been raised, which is a crucial start for ensuring patients can continue accessing care. 

 

###

 

 Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan (PPAM) is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Michigan. PPAM works in conjunction with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund at the national level, as well as our health center/education affiliate Planned Parenthood of Michigan, supporters, and patients at the state level to ensure access to reproductive health for all Michiganders.

 

Planned Parenthood offers affordable reproductive health care for all people through medical services, education and advocacy and is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. Planned Parenthood of Michigan operates health centers across the state, providing medical services and sexuality education for nearly 60,000 Michiganders each year.

Comments


PP_Advocates_Logo_Linear_Rev (2).png
  • Instagram - White Circle
  • Facebook - White Circle
  • Threads
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • X

Mail Address: P.O. Box 15041, Lansing, MI 48901

Phone: 517.482.1080

Fax: 517.482.4876

Email: ppam@ppmi.org

Media Contact: media@ppmi.org

bottom of page