Fleming long- acting contraceptives bill unanimously passes in committee

Today, Jan. 30, the House Public Health Committee passed House Bill
1426, which would increase the availability of long-acting reversible contraceptives for
Medicaid recipients. State Rep. Rita Fleming (D-Jeffersonville), who authored the bill,
released the following celebratory statement:

“Women in our state desperately need increased access to long-acting reversible
contraceptives. Nearly 50% of all pregnancies in Indiana are unintended, and this number
disproportionately affects women of lower incomes. As a result of this and other past
inactions, Medicaid faces a billion-dollar shortfall. As a former OB/GYN, I saw women
unable to receive long-acting reversible contraceptives due to the cost or a lack of access.
Consequently, patients would experience adverse health effects both for themselves and their babies due to close pregnancy spacing. Women who live in rural areas, who are battling
substance use disorder or who lack insurance face significant maternal health challenges. Pills and patches work but may be impractical for a busy mother of three.

“This bill is my effort to help women avoid unplanned pregnancies, have healthier babies and
save money for the state of Indiana. The bill also includes protections for religious rights.
Long-acting reversible contraceptives like the implant require minimal attention, which is
essential for women who struggle to regularly receive clinical care. This is a public health,
economic and workforce issue. We must help Hoosier women take control of their
reproductive health, and I believe that this bill is a starting point.”