While Trump is leading the legal charge against birth control access, local governments are making strides in taking reproductive autonomy back into the hands of its residents. The most recent example comes from New Mexico, which now allows properly trained and licensed pharmacists to prescribe certain types of hormonal birth control to patients.
This reduces a lot of the tedious steps many of us have to take for access to hormonal contraception. In most states, a woman would set up a doctor’s appointment, waiting for the appointment, get testing and the prescription at the doctor, and then they have to drop off/pick up the birth control at the pharmacy. If someone is uninsured or under-insured, this process would shut them out completely—leaving them without no (or inconsistent) access to contraception.
Young Women United, a reproductive justice organization that works with young women of color, welcomes this news. Their policy director Denicia Cadena said in a statement:
“Allowing trained pharmacists to prescribe and fill contraception is a huge win for our rural communities, which are most profoundly impacted by our state’s healthcare and provider shortages.
This policy change will significantly impact the lives of real people currently navigating barriers to the care they need, including transportation and cost. As someone raised in rural New Mexico, I am proud to have worked alongside our partners making needed healthcare more accessible to families like mine.”
Most patients will be able to get their contraception straight from the pharmacist if needed. However, pharmacists will refer high-risk patients to a health care provider if there are any health concerns. New Mexico is now the fourth state in the country to offer this, joining the ranks of Colorado, Oregon, and California.