Continuing to build on a list of policy wins to protect Michiganders’ reproductive freedom, Michigan Senate Democrats introduced legislation to ensure all residents have access to contraception and the “Freedom to Plan” their futures. This legislative package would break down financial barriers to over-the-counter (OTC) oral hormonal contraceptives and emergency contraceptives.
But to get this legislation over the finish line, we need your help. Your voice is crucial in this fight. Use this toolkit to learn how you can talk with friends and family about these bills, find content you can share on social media, and connect with your elected officials to help us shape a future where everyone has the fundamental freedom to make decisions about their own body.
Legislation Breakdown
Senate Bills 973 and 974 would require Medicaid and private insurers to provide coverage for oral hormonal contraception and oral emergency contraception with or without a prescription.
Learn more at SenateDems.com/freedom-to-plan-act.
Show Your Support Online
Help spread the word about the importance of contraception access! Whether you’re sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, these ready-to-share posts will help you build support for Michigan Senate Democrats’ “Freedom to Plan” package and ensure Michiganders have the autonomy and power to make their own medical decisions.
1 in 3 adult women have faced obstacles when trying to access contraception. @MISenDems are working to change that by dismantling barriers to over-the-counter contraceptives.
Show your support and help ensure everyone has the #FreedomToPlan ⬇️ https://senatedems.com/freedom-to-plan-act/
Reproductive health care is essential health care.
Access to over-the-counter contraception should be a right, not a luxury. Show your support for @MISenDems legislation to dismantle barriers to ensure everyone has the #FreedomToPlan ⬇️ https://senatedems.com/freedom-to-plan-act/
Contraception is an integral component of women’s health care. Learn more about how @MISenDems are working to break down financial barriers to contraception so all Michiganders have the #FreedomToPlan their futures ⬇️
If you’re comfortable, we also encourage you to share your personal reproductive health journey on social media — whether you or a partner have relied on contraception to treat a health condition, pursued IVF to grow your family, faced the need for an abortion, or navigated the complexities of pregnancy and childbirth. Don’t forget to use the #FreedomToPlan hashtag and tag @MISenDems!
Together, we can build a collective narrative and shape a future where everyone has the fundamental freedom to make decisions about their own body.
Other Ways to Take Action
Add your name as a supporter and share your story. We encourage everyone who is interested in this issue to become a citizen co-sponsor of the Freedom to Plan Act. You can also share your personal story as we work to connect this issue with the real people it will benefit. Click here to show your support or share your story.
Attend a virtual town hall and join us for a discussion on our work to expand access to contraception and maternal healthcare. Click here to find upcoming dates.
Reach out to your state Senators! Click here to find out who your senator is.
Messaging Guidance
- For over six decades, contraception has been an integral component of women’s healthcare, giving them the power to plan their own course in life by allowing them to determine whether to have children and the number and spacing of their children.
- Beyond preventing unintended pregnancies, oral hormonal contraception is often used to treat other health concerns, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), pain from endometriosis, and migraines.
- But for too many women, contraception is not accessible. A national survey estimates nearly one-third of adult women who have tried to access prescription contraception experience barriers.
- The introduction of over-the-counter (OTC) contraception has the ability to break down many of these barriers — as long as individuals can afford it.
- Currently, however, there is no federal requirement that insurance plans cover nonprescription contraception.
- With the first OTC oral hormonal contraceptive recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, there is no time like the present to take steps to break down financial barriers to OTC contraceptives and emergency contraceptives.
- Michigan Senate Democrats’ “Freedom to Plan Act,” would require private insurers and Medicaid to provide point-of-sale coverage for oral hormonal contraception and emergency contraception with or without a prescription, helping ensure all Michigan residents have the autonomy, power, and freedom to make choices about their bodies and their lives.
- By dismantling these barriers, we can ensure contraception is not an out-of-reach luxury, but an accessible component of all Michiganders’ reproductive health care.
Why is this needed?
Over-the-counter (OTC) contraception is instrumental for women who have difficulty accessing contraceptive and family planning services due to economic, social, and geographic barriers. However, there is no federal requirement that insurance plans cover nonprescription contraception — leaving many individuals without the ability to access the care they need.
With the first OTC oral hormonal contraceptive recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, there is no time like the present to ensure Michiganders can access this medical advancement and have the freedom to plan their future.