Opinion: New legislation could expand birth control access in Wisconsin. It’s time to pass it.

Pharmacists prescribing hormonal contraceptives for Wisconsinites is safe, effective, and will increase access, without barriers, to reproductive healthcare across the state. 

Expanding access to birth control is essential – not only for supporting reproductive autonomy, it is essential for public health and a woman’s right to family planning. A woman should have the power to decide when the right time is for her to start a family. However, according to the latest data from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Division, 27% of pregnancies in Wisconsin were unintended. 

Despite this need, access to contraception remains uneven and insufficient across the state. Hormonal birth control methods such as the pill and the patch have a 7% failure rate under typical use, in comparison with male condoms having a typical-use failure rate of 13%. This means that 13 out of 100 women relying solely on condoms may experience an unintended pregnancy within a year. Furthermore, 324,030 women in Wisconsin live in contraceptive deserts, meaning they lack reasonable access to publicly funded contraceptive services and supplies. That is 10.9% of Wisconsin’s female population! Another 33,840 women live in counties without access to a single health center that offers the full range of contraceptive methods.

A System That Fails Women

The data is clear: hundreds of thousands of women in Wisconsin struggle to access contraception. Even when women seek out preventative care, it is simply unreachable in many places. Unintended pregnancy should not be viewed as a woman’s “responsibility” to prevent when systemic barriers prevent her from accessing reliable birth control. Furthermore, birth control isn’t just pregnancy prevention – it is also prescribed for treating irregular menstrual cycles, period cramps, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), acne, endometriosis, migraines, and perimenopause symptoms. 

Senate Bill 42: Expanding Access Through Pharmacists

A bipartisan effort is underway to fix these disparities. Senate Bill 42, introduced by Senators Cabral-Guevara (R), James (R), and Marklein (R), and several Democratic Assembly representatives, aims to increase access to birth control by allowing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense hormonal patches and self-administered oral hormonal birth control pills to individuals aged 18 and older.

The bill ensures safety through established medical guidelines:

• A self-assessment questionnaire, developed in alignment with the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
• A mandatory blood pressure screening before a prescription is issued.
• Clear patient education, informing individuals that hormonal contraceptives do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases and recommending regular appointments with their health care providers.
• A requirement for pharmacists to notify the patient’s primary healthcare provider and ensure timely dispensing of prescribed contraceptives.

Additionally, the bill would expand coverage under Wisconsin’s Medical Assistance program, ensuring that contraceptives and related services are covered, whether a prescription is legally required or deemed medically necessary by a pharmacist. The bill also formally recognizes pharmacists as healthcare providers for the purpose of prescribing and reimbursing costs for hormonal contraceptive patches and birth control pills.

Proven Success in Other States

Some may wonder whether allowing pharmacists to provide contraceptives is safe. The answer is a resounding yes. Thirty states and the District of Columbia already allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control, and the results show safe, effective, and increased access. Wisconsin has ample opportunity here to learn from states and implement best practices.

A Personal Perspective: Why This Matters

As a dual-degree student pursuing a Master’s in Public Health with a focus on Health Policy alongside my Physician Assistant (PA) medical training, I have gained a unique perspective on the challenges of reproductive healthcare access. Born and raised in Wisconsin, I have witnessed first-hand how limited access to contraception affects young women – including my own friends in both high school and college. With a future goal of working in Women’s Health or OB/GYN, I am committed to policies that improve access and lead to better health outcomes for all Wisconsin women.

Take Action: Support Senate Bill 42.

With Senate Bill 42 relevant now and up for debate in this legislative session, Wisconsin has the opportunity to join the 30 other states in improving contraceptive access. I urge you to contact both your State Senator and State Assembly Representative, and ask them to support Senate Bill 42. Through a quick call to their offices, or a simple email encouraging them to vote yea for this bill, you’ll be expanding access to contraceptives for women all over the state. To find out more about who represents you, your local district, and how to contact them, visit myvote.wi.gov.