Mohave County defers decision on dispensing Plan B as part of public-health fee update

The Mohave County Board of Supervisors on April 20 opened a public hearing to adopt a revised Public Health Nursing Services fee schedule and paused a separate decision about whether the county should continue dispensing Plan B (emergency contraception).

Director Palmer told the board the nursing-division fee study is part of the department's three-year review of service costs. During discussion Supervisor Gould asked whether the county dispenses "the abortion pill," referencing the Plan B entry in the fee schedule. Director Palmer and a clinical nurse clarified that Plan B (the morning-after pill) is not the medication used for abortion and that it acts to delay ovulation; the nursing division does not provide the abortion medication.

Supervisor Gould asked to remove the medication from services; Attorney Davis advised removing a service would require a separate agenda item. Supervisor Gould moved to continue the item for 30 days so the board can consider whether the county should continue distribution of Plan B; the motion to continue carried.

Director Palmer said fee adjustments reflect personnel, supplies and medicine costs and that the county will present the fee schedule and any separate proposal for dispensary policy at a future meeting.

What happens next: the board continued the fee schedule item for 30 days and asked staff to return with a separate agenda item addressing whether the county will continue to dispense Plan B. The fee schedule remains under consideration pending that follow-up.

Key quotes: "This is not the abortion pill…it's medication that delays ovulation," the nursing clinical lead said to clarify the clinical difference.

Vote: motion to continue the agenda item for 30 days passed by voice vote.