Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ bill to allow over-the-counter birth control in Iowa has a subcommittee hearing on Monday. The bill, which has been a priority for Reynolds the last few years, starts its 2024 process today.
House Study Bill 642 allows for self-administered contraceptives approved by the FDA that include oral birth control, a hormonal vaginal ring or a hormonal patch. The bill does not include any drug intended to induce an abortion.
Initial dispensing will be up to a three-month supply. Any subsequent dispensing of the same contraceptive will be a 12-month supply.
The pharmacist dispensing the contraceptive will be required to complete a standardized training program as well as continuing education requirements related to prescribing the contraceptives. They will also have to obtain a completed self-screening risk assessment from each patient, verify the identity and age of each patient and perform a blood pressure screening on each patient before dispensing the contraceptive.
A patient will not need to see a doctor to receive the contraception until 27 months have passed. A pharmacist will also be provided immunity.
Conservative advocacy groups are registered against the bill. This group includes Pulse Life Advocates, Iowa Baptists for Biblical Values, Iowa Catholic Conference, The FAMiLY Leader, VALOR Iowa and Concerned Women for America of Iowa.
Planned Parenthood supports the bill.
