Gov. Whitmer Announces Free Contraception Resources Are Now Available at Over 300 Locations Across Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 13, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Announces Free Contraception Resources Are Now Available at Over 300 Locations Across Michigan

Online map is live, offers information about participating organizations

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced more than 300 locations across the state now have free contraception resources available for Michigan families through the Take Control of Your Birth Control program. These resources include over-the-counter oral birth control pills, emergency contraception, condoms and family planning educational resources. This program, initially announced in October, expands access to contraception, supporting reproductive health and empowering Michiganders to make informed family planning decisions.

Participating locations include community partners, local health departments, MDHHS offices, and federally qualified health centers in every county of the state. Michigan families are encouraged to visit michigan.gov/takecontrol to find an interactive map of participating organizations and learn more about how to access these essential resources. The emergency contraception, condoms, and over-the-counter oral contraceptives are available regardless of insurance and will continue as long as supplies are available.

"Everyone deserves the freedom to make their own decisions about their reproductive health," said Governor Whitmer. "With over 300 locations across Michigan now offering free birth control, emergency contraception, and other essential reproductive health tools, we are taking action to ensure that all Michiganders have the support they need. Decisions about reproductive health care should be between a woman, her doctor, and her trusted community. In Michigan, we must always protect your fundamental right to control your health and your future."

"The goal of this program is to ensure individuals, regardless of their circumstances, have access to tools that allow them to make their own decisions about their health and future," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive. "We appreciate the overwhelming support we have received from organizations willing to help distribute free contraception resources to individuals. We want to make sure individuals who need and want these tools can easily obtain them. This campaign reflects the state's ongoing commitment to ensuring equitable access to reproductive health services."

Alongside free supplies, Take Control of Your Birth Control will give Michiganders the information they need to continue to get vital supplies covered going forward. The initiative provides information on how to use insurance to get free or lost-cost birth control. For those without insurance, the program provides a guide to applying for coverage through Medicaid and the Plan First! program, which offer health care coverage for a variety of family planning services, including birth control, STI testing, and treatment.

Launched in 2023, Plan First! is a limited Medicaid benefit covering family planning services for those who do not qualify for traditional Medicaid. It is available to individuals of any age or gender who meet monthly income requirements and are Michigan residents. Increasing insurance coverage for family planning is another way Governor Whitmer has continued to expand access to contraception.

How to apply for Plan First!:

• Apply online at Michigan.gov/mibridges.

• Call 855-789-5610.

• Visit a local MDHHS county office.

For additional information about Plan First, visit Michigan.gov/planfirst.

Additionally, open enrollment for health insurance began Friday, Nov. 1. The Affordable Care Act guarantees coverage of women's preventive services, including free birth control and contraceptive counseling, by nearly all health insurance plans. Michiganders can shop for a health insurance plan until January 15,2025, by visiting the Health Insurance Marketplace or by calling 800-318-2596.

Governor Whitmer's Fight for Reproductive Freedom:

• In June 2022, before the Dobbs decision was leaked, Governor Whitmer filed a filed a motion urging the Michigan Supreme Court to immediately consider her lawsuit asking the court to decide if Michigan's state constitution protects the right to abortion.

• In April 2023, Governor Whitmer repealed Michigan's extreme 1931 abortion ban.

• In May 2023, signed a law prohibiting employers from discriminating against women because they've had an abortion.

• In November 2023, Governor Whitmer signed the Reproductive Health Act, which repealed politically motivated, medically unnecessary statutes that criminalized nurses and doctors, forced health care providers to close, raised costs for patients, and restricted access to abortion.

• In December 2023, Governor Whitmer signed legislation protecting health care workers from violence while on the job and the final piece of the Reproductive Health Act that forced Michiganders to buy a separate insurance rider for reproductive health care.

• In February 2024, immediately following the ruling of the Alabama Supreme Court, Governor Whitmer ordered the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to issue a reminder to health care providers that they are protected under state law from extradition.

• In March 2024, Governor Whitmer filed a motion to protect reproductive freedom from a legal challenge on Proposition 3, which enshrined abortion rights in the constitution following a ballot measure in 2022.

• In April 2024, Governor Whitmer signed the Michigan Family Protection Act to legalize surrogacy and protect access to IVF.

• In May 2024, Governor Whitmer directed the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to issue a reminder to Michiganders to be cautious of data privacy laws after reports of law enforcement using personal health data to prosecute those seeking reproductive care.

For other family planning resources, including information about low- or no-cost reproductive health services provided by the State of Michigan, including under the state's Medicaid program, visit Family Planning.

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