Sacramento, CA – On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 50, the Equity in Birth Control Act, into law. Authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, AB 50 will streamline access to free over-the-counter contraception for millions of Californians, particularly those enrolled in Medi-Cal. AB 50 makes clear that a pharmacist may furnish over-the-counter contraception without the current time-consuming and medically unnecessary standardized procedures that are required for prescription-only contraceptive methods. By doing so, the bill will expand equitable access to OTC contraception regardless of health insurance coverage.
The law includes an urgency provision, meaning that it is effective immediately.
In response to the bill’s signing, AB 50’s co-sponsors the National Health Law Program, Birth Control Pharmacist, and Essential Access Health released the following statements:
This law advances health equity by making it easier for people, including those enrolled in Medi-Cal, to access over-the-counter contraceptives,” said Christina Piecora, Senior Policy Analyst at the National Health Law Program. “OTC birth control is a valuable tool to expand access, particularly for communities facing systemic barriers to care. At a time of provider shortages and ongoing attacks on sexual and reproductive health care, increasing access to contraception is crucial. The National Health Law Program is proud to have co-sponsored AB 50 with our partners at Essential Access Health and Birth Control Pharmacist. We commend Assemblymember Bonta for her leadership and for being a long-standing advocate of advancing access to sexual and reproductive health care.”
“California continues to break down barriers to birth control,” said Dr. Sally Rafie, pharmacist and founder of Birth Control Pharmacist. “This new law recognizes that pharmacists are uniquely positioned to connect people with the birth control method that’s right for them—whether prescription or over-the-counter—with insurance coverage and no out-of-pocket costs. Thanks to the leadership of Assemblymember Bonta and Governor Newsom, Californians will now be able to walk into a pharmacy and leave with the contraception they need. Birth Control Pharmacist is proud to have co-sponsored AB50 with Essential Access Health and the National Health Law Program to help make reproductive freedom a reality for all.” To find a participating pharmacy that offers pharmacist-prescribed birth control, search the directory at birthcontrolpharmacies.com.
“This critical bill removes a systemic barrier that has denied Californians with Medi-Cal coverage from the same over-the-counter birth control access as those with private insurance. No one should face barriers to birth control—especially when it is available off the shelf and without a prescription at local pharmacies. This needed fix comes at a time when reproductive health care and providers are under attack and offers a new option and pathway to contraception for Medi-Cal enrollees,” said Amy Moy, Co-CEO of Essential Access Health. “We thank Assemblymember Bonta for her leadership, applaud the Legislature’s strong bipartisan support, and appreciate Governor Newsom signing AB 50 into law. Essential Access Health has co-sponsored every major birth control access law in California over the past 15 years—and we will not stop until everyone can get the contraception they need, when and where they need it.”
