Oregonians will have easier access to prescription birth control under a bill that was advanced by the House Rules Committee this afternoon.
House Bill 2879 will allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptives and birth control pills, greatly increasing access to women across the state.
“Increasing access to birth control is one of the most important things we can do to improve the lives and health of women from all walks of life,” says House Majority Leader Val Hoyle, Chair of the Rules Committee. “I’m thrilled we were able to bring this bill forward.”
The concept was introduced earlier in the session in a separate bill, but needed substantial policy work before it could move forward. Rep. Hoyle convened a work group, including Rep. Knute Buehler, to fix the bill and reintroduce it as HB 2879.
The State Board of Pharmacy will develop rules governing the practice, in consultation with the Oregon Medical Board, the Oregon State Board of Nursing, and the Oregon Health Authority.
HB 2879 passed the Rules Committee unanimously and will now head to the House floor for a full vote.
