More Than A Magazine, A Movement
In July 2023, the FDA approved the progestin-only birth control pill, Opill, for over-the-counter access. Getting a birth control pill over the counter means that anyone (no matter their age or gender) can buy it without needing to talk to a healthcare provider or getting a prescription.
While the pharmaceutical company Perrigo announced shipment to local retailers on Monday, it may take a few weeks until you see Opill on store shelves near you.
The state of Mississippi is asking the Supreme Court to deny people the ability to decide for themselves what is best for them and their families. The significance of such a decision cannot be overstated.
As an ob-gyn who has included abortion care as part of my practice for almost 20 years, I have seen the harm to a person’s physical and emotional health as a result of denying them the ability to access abortion care.
Being able to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child has allowed me to have a family on my timeline and a fulfilling career.
Unfortunately, the ability to access contraception is largely dependent on an individual’s zip code, insurance status and income level. Even in the face of these challenges, I am hopeful that we can continue to move in the right direction with policies and practices that center the reproductive health and well-being of all people.
It’s important to raise awareness of birth control’s many benefits—from greater education access, to general well-being, to the management of chronic health conditions. But must also consider birth control is not available equitably to all.
Today, people have many contraceptive options available to them. These important advances should be recognized and celebrated. However, we must also acknowledge that we still have a lot of work to do to ensure that everyone, regardless of where they live, their insurance status or income level have the full range of contraception methods available to them without unnecessary barriers.
The Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive coverage requirement has increased the use of birth control among patients. But even with the measure in place, the pandemic took a toll on women’s contraceptive access to contraception, perpetuating inequities in access.
As we celebrate 48 years of women having the legal ability to decide for themselves if, when and under what circumstances to have a child, access to abortion care remains deeply inequitable.
