Hormonal contraceptives prevent pregnancy by reducing or completely stopping ovulation and thickening mucus in the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. Other arguments against the bill include suggestions that it is unsafe for women to be prescribed birth control without visiting their primary care provider and that hormonal contraceptives act as abortifacients, along with a general moral opposition to contraception. If that were true, Kitchens said, "I'm pretty sure I'd be a D cup by now," noting that the FDA first approved oral contraception in 1960. Reducing unplanned pregnancies could have positive effects including reducing intergenerational poverty, reducing abortions and saving tax dollars, Kitchens said, noting that research has shown that unplanned pregnancies occur in the highest rates among younger women and women living in poverty.ĭuring his testimony, Kitchens raised a number of arguments raised by opponents of the bill, including a comment made at a previous hearing suggesting that the hormones from birth control that make their way into waterways could result in men developing feminine features such as growing breasts. While birth control is the most common use for contraceptives, they are also used to prevent ovarian cysts, treat endometriosis and lessen the severity of menstrual side effects including migraines. Supporters argue the bill would reduce unplanned pregnancies and generally expand access to reproductive health care. "We should not be putting up artificial barriers that deny women more choice when it comes to their reproductive health care," Kitchens said during Tuesday's hearing. Medical groups registered in favor of the bill include the Wisconsin chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards, the Wisconsin Public Health Association and the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee Ryan Clancy, D-Milwaukee, and Darrin Madison, D-Milwaukee. The proposal has more than 40 co-sponsors - all Republicans with the exception of Reps. Pharmacists who are morally opposed to birth control would not be required to prescribe it, Kitchens said. After prescribing the contraceptive, the pharmacist would be required to send a report to the patient’s primary care practitioner. To do so, the pharmacist would need to verify that the medication is not contraindicated for the patient based on a self-assessment questionnaire and blood pressure screening.
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The bill would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptives in pill and patch formats to women who are at least 18 years old. Under the bill, women would still need a prescription to obtain birth control - but it would add pharmacists to physicians and advanced practice nurses in their ability to provide that prescription. Murphy argued the bill would be an "end run around the process." The FDA is the sole arbiter in deciding which drugs can be provided over the counter - that is, without a prescription. David Murphy, R-Greenville, suggested the proposal would allow lawmakers to circumvent the federal Food and Drug Administration. Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay, told members of the Assembly Committee on Health, Aging and Long-Term Care that he is "optimistic" the proposal will make it to the Senate floor, adding that it was "only about one vote short" from being considered in the previous session.Īt times during a hearing on the bill Tuesday, there was confusion over what the bill would do. The state Assembly passed the bill with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2021, but it was never taken up by the Senate. Similar efforts have been pursued in previous legislative sessions, and while they have not become law, they have continued to gain support in the Legislature, while some lawmakers remain skeptical, if not outright opposed. MADISON – Wisconsin pharmacists would be allowed to prescribe some forms of birth control under a bipartisan bill getting a hearing in the Legislature for the first time since the state's abortion ban took effect.
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