Fran Pavley

In advance of Valentine’s Day, Senator Fran Pavley has introduced a bill that asks the Legislature to give a meaningful Valentine gift to California women – consistent access to safe, reliable birth control.

SB 999 is modeled on a longstanding policy of California’s Family PACT program, the nation’s largest publicly funded family planning program. It would require all health care service plans and health insurance policies to cover a 12-month supply of prescribed, FDA-approved self-administered contraceptives, such as the ring, the patch and oral contraceptives.

For women not planning a pregnancy, having a consistent and readily accessible supply of birth control is essential. Unlike with most other prescriptions, studies show that having a 12-month supply of birth control is actually a health benefit – and that there are serious health risks associated with running out.

For example, a 2011 study led by a UC San Francisco researcher found that women who receive a 12-month supply of contraceptives under Medi-Cal have a 30 percent lower risk of an unintended pregnancy than women who must more frequently renew their prescriptions. Especially for women working multiple jobs and those who live in remote rural areas, receiving only a 30- or 90-day supply of contraception at a time can be an obstacle to effective use.

“Passage of SB 999 would provide for all California women the same common-sense access to continuous and effective birth control that is already available to women in publicly funded health programs,” Pavley said. “Women who are responsibly managing their reproductive health should not risk an unintended pregnancy simply because a prescription ran out.”

Several other states have followed California’s lead and provide annual dispensing of birth control in their publicly funded family planning programs. Last year Oregon and Washington, D.C., went further by adopting measures similar to SB 999 to require private health care service plans to provide the same benefit.

The bill is sponsored by three of California’s leading reproductive-health advocates – Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, the California Family Health Council, and NARAL Pro Choice California.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the sponsors are asking legislators and the insurance industry to have a heart, rethink current law and give California women consistent access to birth control.

“Increasing access to birth control is good for women, families and the health of our state,” said Kathy Kneer, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “This bill demonstrates California’s continued commitment to breaking down barriers to reproductive health care access and its leadership in policies that help reduce unintended pregnancies.”

“Women across California – with public and private health coverage – need and deserve equal and consistent access to their prescribed birth control method of choice,” said Julie Rabinovitz, CHFC’s president and CEO. “This legislation will help prevent unintended pregnancies and ensure that more women in the state get evidence-based contraceptive care.”

“This bill puts more power in the hands of California women to determine their reproductive futures,” said Amy Everitt, state director of NARAL Pro-Choice California. “SB 999 recognizes that women lead busy lives and removes hurdles to consistent, effective birth control.”

In concert with the bill’s introduction, the sponsoring organizations will be launching a social media campaign to promote awareness of the legislation.

The bill will receive its first committee hearing sometime this spring.

Contacts:
Planned Parenthood Affiliates: Ana Sandoval, Director of Communications, 916-446-5247, ext. 115; cell, 916-712-6239; ana.sandoval@ppacca.org
California Family Health Council: Amy Moy, Vice President of Public Affairs, 415-518-4465; moya@cfhc.org
NARAL Pro Choice America: Rebecca Griffin, Assistant Director, California Programs, 415-500-8123; rgriffin@prochoiceamerica.org.
Sen. Pavley’s office: Timm Herdt or Liz Fenton, 916-651-4027; timm.herdt@sen.ca.gov; Elizabeth.fenton@sen.ca.gov.