Fleming’s LARC bill heads to Governor’s desk, expands access for women who need it most

Today, March 6, the Indiana House of Representatives concurred with changes made by the Senate on House Bill 1426, sending it to the governor’s desk. Authored by State Rep. Rita Fleming (D-Jeffersonville), HB 1426 increases the availability of long-acting reversible contraceptives, specifically the subdermal implant, for postpartum Medicaid recipients.

Instead of waiting until the six-week check-up, doctors are required to have a conversation with postpartum women about whether they’d like the subdermal implant prior to hospital discharge. HB 1426 does not restrict access to other forms of birth control. In fact, the ethical practitioner will offer all options with risks and benefits discussed. This is simply the starting point for a discussion about the patient's options.

“House Bill 1426 is based on my personal, lived experiences,” Fleming said. “It’s based on the care I provided later in my career as a hospitalist and the desires of the women I served. I authored this bill because I saw many women who did not receive postpartum care due to healthcare deserts, financial strain or personal crises. I cannot overemphasize how badly these women wanted a way to avoid a closely spaced subsequent pregnancy. 

“This legislation gives postpartum Hoosier mothers control over when or if they have another pregnancy. It requires a woman’s health provider to have a conversation about the subdermal implant prior to discharge. The discussion isn’t limited to the implant and can include IUDs, the pill, the patch or another birth control type the woman prefers. This bill is about starting a conversation so that Hoosier women know their options. It’s about being proactive and supporting these women before they’re out the door and you might never see them again. What we’re doing now to address poor maternal health and outcomes simply isn’t working. Our statistics are shameful. Let’s look for a meaningful solution.”