LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 11, 2024) — Building on their commitment to empowering Michigan residents with the autonomy and power to make their own medical decisions, Senate Democrats passed the Freedom to Plan Act today. Introduced by Sens. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) and Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), this package seeks to advance equitable access to contraceptive care by breaking down financial barriers to over-the-counter (OTC) hormonal contraceptives and emergency contraceptives.
“From improved economic mobility and educational attainment to greater bodily autonomy and reproductive health outcomes, the benefits of equitable contraception access are far-reaching,” said Sen. Cavanagh, the youngest woman to be elected in the Michigan State Senate. “The freedom to plan is powerful, and when that tool is put into the hands of the people who need it most, we multiply prosperity and access to opportunity. Everyone deserves the freedom to plan their own life and future, and this legislation is a great step forward in affirming and protecting that fundamental right for all Michiganders.”
For over six decades, contraception has been an integral component of women’s health care. Named as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contraception has played a pivotal role in expanding women’s bodily autonomy, ensuring they can plan their pregnancies on their own terms, while also providing additional health benefits and saving taxpayer dollars in the long run. Despite the numerous benefits it provides, contraception is not easily accessible for many women.
“These bills will ensure everyone in Michigan has the tools they need to chart their own course for themselves and their families,” said Sen. Irwin. “The people of our state elected us to secure their reproductive freedoms, and Senate Bill 973 and 974 are some of the many ways in which we are following through on that mission.”
While federal law requires Medicaid and most private health insurance plans to cover FDA-approved contraceptive methods with a prescription, there is no federal requirement that plans cover nonprescription contraception — leaving many individuals without the ability to access the care they need. To rectify this issue, Senate Bills 973 and 974 would require Medicaid and private insurers to provide coverage for hormonal contraception and emergency contraception with or without a prescription. This legislation comes after the first OTC oral hormonal contraceptive was approved last year, which marked a significant step forward in expanding access to contraception.
“We know that access to contraception is key to reproductive freedom, women’s health, and economic advancement,” said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). “Our legislation expanding access to contraception is not only evidence-based, good public policy — it’s also a testament to our commitment to affirming every Michigander’s freedom to plan their own life and future. I’m proud to lead a caucus so dedicated to delivering wins that protect the fundamental rights of our residents.”
During the committee process, the Freedom to Plan Act received widespread support from health policy experts and advocates, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Planned Parenthood of Michigan, Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Healt, American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, Mothers of Hope, Michigan Voices, Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health, and Free the Pill.
This legislation builds on a series of actions taken by the democratic Majority in the Michigan Legislature to protect reproductive freedom, including repealing the 1931 abortion ban, passing the Reproductive Health Act into law to remove unnecessary medical regulations on abortion clinics, protecting standards for surrogacy and forms of assisted reproduction such as IVF with the Family Protection Act, and safeguarding Michiganders’ reproductive health data.
For more information on Senate Democrats’ work to champion reproductive freedom, please visit senatedems.com/freedom-to-plan.