Over-the-counter birth control hearing
On Thursday, January 11 the a New Hampshire House committee heard public testimony on a bill that would make birth control pills available over the counter.
The bill, HB 1822, would allow pharmacists to dispense hormonal birth control through a signed protocol authored by a qualified physician or APRN. HB 1822 also requires health insurance to cover birth control dispensed by a pharmacist.
HB 1822 was drafted by a commission of legislators, health care providers, and other officials, tasked with studying the issue of over-the-counter birth control.
Supporters argue that women will be more likely to get a prescription for birth control if they do not also have to pay for an appointment with a doctor or nurse.
“The problem is access. The problem is that more than four in 10 births in New Hampshire are unintended, and we need to address that at all levels in our system.”
- Patricia Tilley, deputy director of Public Health Services
Opponents express concern that women will be more at risk of negative side effects if they do not receive birth control through a physician.
If HB 1822 becomes law, the Board of Pharmacy will complete a more detailed rulemaking process for pharmacists dispensing birth control.
Do you support HB 1822? Let us know in the comments below.
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