Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed two bills into law earlier this week that will allow pharmacists in the state to prescribe hormonal birth control.
House Bill 5436 gives Michigan pharmacists the ability to write prescriptions for hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills, emergency contraceptive pills, patches and vaginal rings.
Whitmer also signed a second piece of legislation, House Bill 5435, which requires insurance companies to cover the cost of pharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraception in the state.
Michigan’s state licensing agency and pharmacy board have until the fall of 2026 to create rules to allow for the rollout of each law, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Associated Press/Carlos Osorio
Like many states, Michigan is experiencing a shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists which has made it harder for people in the state to access hormonal contraception, according to a statement released by the governor’s office.
“These bills increase access to safe, affordable birth control and recognize pharmacists as important members of a woman’s health care team,” the statement reads.
Michigan is the latest state to try to increase access to birth control by allowing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception.
Pharmacists can prescribe hormonal contraception in at least 30 states and Washington D.C., according to the Guttmacher Institute, a sexual health and reproductive rights research and policy organization.
Whitmer signed a bundle of other bills aimed at improving maternal health and increasing reproductive health care access in the state. Those bills include a piece of legislation making it easier to donate breast milk and another expanding maternal mental health services to postpartum women.
