R Sheet on birth control deregulation
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Background
Presently, 60 percent of American women of a reproductive age use some form of contraception. Well-known hormonal contraceptives such as the pill and the transdermal patch have been used for over 50 years. While these methods are extremely safe and effective for women to use, the current system for accessing contraception restricts women’s reproductive and economic freedoms. Through the years, barriers to obtaining women’s contraception have remained high, creating a needlessly burdensome process for women seeking autonomy over their reproductive health.
Traditionally, a doctor’s visit and examination have been required to get a birth control prescription. However, trips to the doctor are often expensive and difficult—if not impossible—for many women, particularly those in rural and poor areas. Further, as more effective methods have developed in recent years (such as intrauterine devices [IUDs] and implants), these longer-acting forms have increased in popularity among women. Accordingly, the time has come to create a regulatory framework that minimizes these barriers to safe forms of contraception and maximizes women’s freedom and autonomy.
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