Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Reproductive Health Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves bill to let pharmacists furnish over‑the‑counter hormonal contraception under Medi‑Cal
Summary
AB 50 would allow pharmacists to furnish FDA‑approved over‑the‑counter hormonal contraceptives and enable Medi‑Cal coverage without a prescription; the Assembly committee passed the measure after widespread support from health groups and pharmacists.
Assemblymember Rob Bonta presented AB 50, which would permit pharmacists to furnish over‑the‑counter (OTC) hormonal contraceptives and allow Medi‑Cal beneficiaries to obtain OTC products without needing an additional prescription.
Supporters told the committee the bill would reduce access barriers and out‑of‑pocket costs for low‑income Californians. Dr. Michelle Carriado, a community pharmacist, and Sally Raffi, founder of Birth Control Pharmacist, said the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of an OTC contraceptive (Opill) highlighted disparities because Medi‑Cal still requires a prescription for coverage. Supporters said SB 523 (2022) requires health plans to cover OTC birth control without cost sharing, but Medi‑Cal’s prescription requirement prevents insured low‑income patients from using that coverage.
Multiple health and reproductive‑health groups testified in support, including Western Center on Law & Poverty, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, Health Access California, and professional societies. No primary witnesses opposed the bill in committee testimony.
The committee voted to pass AB 50 as amended to the Committee on Health. The committee record shows the measure advanced with bipartisan support.
