Hinson Introduces Legislation to Increase Safe Birth Control Options for Women in Rural Areas

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) introduced the Access to LARCs Act, legislation aimed at improving birth control options for adult women in rural areas. 

Clinics that receive Title X funding offer women the full range of pregnancy preventing contraception, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs), onsite at much higher rates than community clinics and CHCs that do not receive Title X funding. This inequality in access to the most effective FDA-approved pregnancy preventing contraception leaves many who live in “health care deserts” unable to receive long-acting birth control such as IUDs or arm implants. 

The Access to LARCs Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on contraceptive access at community health centers (CHCs) in health care deserts.

"Ensuring women, regardless of zip code, have access to safe birth control options is vital for women's health and family planning. This legislation will help expand access to safe birth control options for adult women in rural or underserved areas who rely on Community Health Centers for care. I've listened to women across Iowa, and will continue proposing commonsense solutions to improve women's health care access." - Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

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