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Population:
Access to Birth Control Act

Our Position: support
Bill Number: HR 2596
Sponsor: Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-14)
Legislative Session: 2008

The Access to Birth Control (ABC) Act addresses a number of incidents around the country where pharmacists are unwilling to sell contraception or fill women's prescriptions for birth control—including emergency contraception or the "morning-after pill." This bill would make it illegal for a pharmacy to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions and require pharmacies to help, not hinder a woman's ability to access contraception. Access to a full range of legal contraceptives is a vital component of healthy communities.

Status

The ABC Act was introduced in the House and Senate on June 6, 2007. It was then referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. For more information on the House version of the bill, including full text of the bill and a complete list of co-sponsoring Representatives, click here. 

Action Needed

We must build strong bipartisan support for this legislation in the House and Senate to help ensure that all Americans have access to critical health information and services.

·        Contact your Representative today and ask him or her to co-sponsor the Access to Birth Control Act (H.R. 2596).

o         Click here to find your Representative and his or her contact information. 

o         Click here for a list of current co-sponsoring Representatives. If your Representative is already a co-sponsor, write or call to thank him them for their leadership on this issue!

Contact

Sarah Fairchild

Global Population and Environment Program Director

sarah.fairchild@sierraclub.org

202-675-2396 

Background

This legislation will protect an individual's right to have access to legal contraception. Reports of pharmacists refusing to fill legally-prescribed prescriptions for birth control, including emergency contraceptives, have surfaced in states across the nation. Concerns from the American Medical Association that pharmacist's refusals jeopardize a patient's health, compromise the patient-physician relationship, and are a form of discrimination has led it to endorse this legislation. Since the Food and Drug Administration approved emergency contraception without a prescription for individuals 18 and over, reports of refusals to provide this drug has also been reported. Contraception is basic health care for women, and pharmacists should not have the ability to block access. Access to contraception helps women prevent unintended pregnancy and control the timing and spacing of planned births.

Check out our fact-sheet and read why environmentalists care about family planning in the United States.