Democratic bill would allow 12-month birth control prescriptions

By Jessie Opoien, The Capital Times

 

Women could receive a one-year supply of birth control at one time under a bill proposed by Rep. Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point, and Sen. Nikiya Harris Dodd, D-Milwaukee. 

 
Currently in Wisconsin, insurance companies allow contraceptive prescriptions to be dispensed in one-month or three-month supplies. The Democratic bill would require insurance companies to allow a 12-month supply as well.
 
It would be especially helpful to women living in rural areas or those who rely on mass transportation to get around, the bill's authors said.
 
"Nearly every woman in their life will use contraception at some point," Shankland said. "In order to be effective, it has to be taken consistently."
 
Shankland and Harris Dodd argued the bill would not only help prevent unwanted pregnancies, but would help women who take birth control for medical conditions like endometriosis. 
 
"As a physician, I feel we are systematically failing women and their families when it comes to contraceptive access," said Cynthie Anderson, a Madison obstetrician-gynecologist.
 
The legislation would cover the pill, patch and ring methods of contraception.