The State Senate has passed a bill by a Conejo Valley legislator which would require health plans to simplify access to contraceptives.
Democratic State Senator Fran Pavley of Agoura Hills authored SB 999, which would make insurers provide up to a 12 month supply of contraceptives, rather than the current 30 or 60 day prescriptions.
Pavley says this will reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. She cites research which shows that Medi-Cal patient with the 12 month option have 30% fewer unintended pregnancies.
The legislation was sponsored by a number of reproductive health advocate groups, including Planned Parenthood of California. The legislation now goes to the State Assembly for consideration.
