Assemblymember Mia Bonta Sends Over-the-Counter Birth Control Bill to the Governor

AB 50 eliminates excess hoops for Medi-Cal recipients looking to access over-the-counter birth control options.

• Daniel McGreevy
• Communications Coordinator
• (916) 319-2589
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO - This week, AB 50, authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, was sent to the Governor's desk after passing its final vote on the Senate floor. The Equity in Birth Control Act aims to rectify that the current law has Medi-Cal recipients navigating many of the same barriers to get a prescription as they would to access safe and effective over-the-counter contraceptive options.

"There's no reason you should need a prescription for an over-the-counter birth control option just because you're on Medi-Cal. AB 50 fixes this glaring issue and promotes fair and equitable access to contraceptives," said Assemblymember Mia Bonta. "This bill helps cement California's pro-woman leadership by expanding access to birth control and removing hurdles imposed by income or insurance. I bring my lived experience to this legislation and hope to see it swiftly signed into law to ensure low-income women aren't jumping through more hoops than their wealthier counterparts to access the care they need."

AB 50 heads to the Governor's desk with bipartisan support and a coalition of health advocates, local governments, and women's rights organizations backing the bill.

###

Assemblymember Mia Bontarepresents California's 18^th Assembly District encompassing the East Bay including Oakland, Alameda, and Emeryville. She also chairs the Assembly Health Committee.

Courtesy photos can be found HERE.