Ernst, Hinson Work to Ensure Rural Access to Safe Contraception
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) are requesting information on the availability of birth control options to ensure Iowa families, especially in rural areas, have access to safe and effective contraception.
After data from 2017 revealed just 24 percent of all Community Health Centers (CHCs) in the country provide a comprehensive list of contraception options for patients to review on-site, the lawmakers specifically inquired about options available through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which serve rural areas.
“Families deserve access to safe and effective birth control when they visit their health care provider, regardless of where they live. To ensure rural areas are not overlooked, I’m working to identify the barriers that leave communities with fewer contraception options. We can build upon this fact-finding mission to address the real gaps in services that Iowa families are facing,”said Senator Joni Ernst.
“Ensuring women, regardless of zip code, have access to safe birth control options is vital for women's health and family planning. Unfortunately, women in rural and underserved areas often have fewer contraception options. I’m working with Senator Ernst to expand access to safe birth control options for adult women who rely on Community Health Centers for care,”said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.
“Increased access to family planning services has proven to reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies, reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and reduce rates of infertility and maternal mortality. The limited information that is available also indicates that women in rural communities are facing a significant lack of access. With millions of women in the United States living in areas with limited contraceptive access, it’s imperative we understand the deficiencies and why they exist,” the lawmakers wrote.
In the letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the lawmakers requested:
- An itemized inventory of available contraception,
- Annual family planning counseling appointment requests and rates of return,
- Expenditures of federal funds to reimburse facilities for contraception methods,
- Financial resources and contraceptive options offered, and
- Any additional barriers, including geographic, to those who wish to provide a wider range of contraceptive methods to patients.
Background:
Since 2017, Ernst has been working to provide access to safe and effective over-the-counter birth control. This year, her Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act has gained support.
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