Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Thursday that will allow pharmacists in the state to dole out hormonal birth control, including the pill.
The new law, which takes effect in January, requires pharmacists to get education that will include how to counsel patients and an assessment for screening.
State Senator Melinda Bush, a Grayslake Democrat, sponsored the measure.
“We believe that family planning and reproductive health care are personal choices that should never be limited by economic or social status,” she said.
Insurance plans, including Medicaid, that will pay for doctor-prescribed birth control, must also cover pharmacist-direct means after January First, 2023.
Illinois will be the 16th state in the nation allow pharmacists with extra training to hand out hormonal birth control – even if the patient hasn’t first seen a health care practitioner. The measure takes effect January First. Governor JB Pritzker signed the measure today (THURSDAY),
Doctor Michelle Brown represents the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She said barriers to getting a new prescription or refill include lack of insurance or an established doctor and difficulty obtaining appointments or finding reliable transportation to s” “By making contraception more accessible through the local pharmacies without the need for an appointment or prescription. We break down those barriers to help women access the medications they need to help them control their reproductive future.”
The measure was backed by the state pharmacists’ association.
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