House passes Rep. Stambaugh’s bill expanding access to contraceptives
In a 67-30 vote Thursday, the state House passed Rep. Melanie Stambaugh’s bill to increase options for women to obtain birth control directly from a pharmacist. House Bill 2681 would further expand partnerships between providers and pharmacists, as well as increase awareness for women about the role pharmacies can play in their health care decisions.
“I’m incredibly pleased by the strong support this bill received in the House,” said Stambaugh, R-Puyallup. “Statistics show that women who have access to birth control have higher education levels, career achievement, and wages over their lifetime. By allowing pharmacists to play a key role in increasing access to contraceptives for women, we will help prevent unwanted pregnancies and empower women in our communities.”
Stambaugh’s bill would increase access to contraceptives by:
- Utilizing existing Collaborative Drug Therapy Agreements (CDTAs) to give prescription authority to pharmacists.
- Expanding options for pharmacists to enter into CDTAs to prescribe birth control to women.
- Adding a provision to increase awareness for women about which local pharmacies actively prescribe contraception.
House Bill 2681 now goes to the Senate for further consideration.