The Georgia House passed House Bill 1138, the Increasing Access to Contraceptives Act, Wednesday in a 162-4 vote. If signed into law, the bill, sponsored by state Rep. Beth Camp (R-Concord), would allow pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives, like birth control pills and progesterone shots.
Additionally, the bill would allow for patients to receive extended supplies of contraceptives, and require Medicaid to cover contraceptive supplies.
"Pharmacists are prescribing contraceptives in 36 other states, successfully," Camp said in a speech before the vote.
Rep. Park Cannon (D-Atlanta) questioned whether the bill would contradict abstinence-only education in schools supported by the Republican Party.
"Do you understand the possibly confusing messages that we could be sending to our students if at the same time that we're saying you can trust a pharmacist for this medicine and also that you should be abstinent," Cannon said.
However, Camp said she doesn't think those two messages are contradictory, adding this bill is about increasing access to medication and "is not a morality bill," emphasizing the lack of OB-GYNs in many of Georgia's rural counties.
"Oftentimes, the only health care provider in an area is going to be a pharmacist," Camp said. "I'm very excited that we're moving in this direction."
The bill will move to the state Senate for consideration.
