Bill Expanding Hoosier Women’s Access To Contraceptives Heads To Senate

The Indiana House of Representatives this week advanced legislation co-authored by State Rep. Sharon Negele (R-Attica) that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills and patches.

Currently, primary physicians can prescribe hormonal contraceptives. This legislation would allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control to Hoosier women 18 years and older, and offer self-screening information and referrals to primary care providers for follow-up. Negele said many Hoosier women struggle to get access to care, including those who don’t have a primary care doctor or can’t afford transportation to a different city or county for care.

“When women are unable to get an appointment with a physician, that is a barrier to care, and this bill addresses that by allowing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives,” Negele said. “Pharmacies provide convenience and easy access to care.”

According to a study from Manatt Health, more than 19 million women across the country do not have access to some form of birth control. Negele said the bill would allow pharmacists to be reimbursed after prescribing birth control to Medicaid recipients, ensuring low-income Hoosiers can receive this resource.

Under this bill, pharmacists who object on the basis of ethical, moral or religious grounds would not be required to prescribe contraceptives. If passed, Indiana would join nearly half the states in the country that allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

House Bill 1568 now heads to Senate for further consideration. For more information, or to watch session and committees live, visit iga.in.gov.

State Rep. Sharon Negele (R-Attica) represents House District 13, which includes all of Benton and Warren counties, and portions of Fountain, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Tippecanoe and White counties.