Increasing Contraceptive Access

Being able to determine whether and when to have children is a basic human right that underlies a person’s ability to control their bodies and lives, to ensure the wellbeing of their families, and to participate fully in their communities and the larger public sphere. 

The importance of equitable, patient-centered access to contraception has become even greater as more states move to further restrict or even ban abortion access following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. 

NIRH is committed to ensuring that everyone can access the care they need and to choose the form of contraception that is best for them. While doing so, we are mindful of the history of reproductive oppression, including forced sterilization, that is and has been part of the experience of Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. That is why our efforts to increase access to the full range of contraceptive options includes ensuring that patients can choose the option best for them (and to stop using methods that don’t meet their needs) and that health care providers offer culturally competent care. 

As part of our efforts to ensure that the full range of contraceptive options are accessible and affordable, we focus on issues such as: 

• Public and private insurance coverage for contraception 
• 12-month prescriptions for birth control pills 
• Increased access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (like IUDs) 
• Enabling pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives.