Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts applauds new investments in reproductive health care in state budget

BOSTON – Several investments in reproductive health care, including a new measure to allow pharmacists to prescribe certain forms of hormonal contraceptives, passed in the FY24 state budget approved today by the Massachusetts House and Senate.  

“The national erosion of reproductive rights and access to abortion has made improving access to the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health care, which includes contraception and abortion, even more urgent,” said Sheila Ramirez, Director of Health Policy and Government Relations for the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. “We are so proud to see the Massachusetts legislature continue its commitment to reproductive rights and health care by increasing investments in reproductive health providers and family planning services, and by passing a measure to allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal birth control which will remove unnecessary barriers to essential health care.” 

The budget, which now goes to Governor Maura Healey for approval, supports reproductive health care access in the following ways: 

• An increase in the family planning line item, including $1 million to support implementation of a provision of the comprehensive reproductive health care law passed last summer to ensure access to medication abortion care on public college campuses; 

• $2 million for grants to support improvements in reproductive health access, infrastructure and security, including for three Massachusetts-based abortion funds; 

• An amendment that allows pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives, reducing barriers for patients to access these critical medications. In adopting this measure, Massachusetts will join 29 other states in making birth control more accessible by removing the need for a person to get a prescription from a doctor before going to have it filled at a pharmacy.