Program Established to Provide Access to Voluntary Reversible Long-Acting Contraception
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As used in this section:
“Family planning centers” means health clinics that receive funding under the Title X program overseen by the United States department of health and human services, Pub. L. 91-572, as well as other health clinics that the commissioner of health finds are qualified and willing to perform comprehensive family planning services; and
“Voluntary reversible long-acting contraception” or “VRLACs,” also known as “long-acting reversible contraceptives” or “LARCs,” means highly effective methods of contraception that last for several years and are easy to use. VRLACs include, but are not limited to, intrauterine contraceptives and birth control implants.
The department of health shall administer a program to improve access to VRLACs for women.
The program shall include:
Training for family planning centers regarding contraceptive methods, including VRLACs, client-centered and non-coercive counseling strategies, and managing side effects;
Training for all public health facilities to ensure that they are qualified and able to provide forms of contraception, including VRLACs;
Assistance to family planning centers regarding administrative or technical issues such as coding, billing, pharmacy rules, and clinic management related to the provision of forms of contraception, including VRLACs and other methods;
General financial support to expand the capacity of family planning centers to provide VRLACs, to train and staff providers, and to keep supplies in stock and available for same-day access by patients;
Education and outreach to the public about the availability, effectiveness, and safety of contraception including VRLAC;
Education and outreach to the public to inform women about alternatives to abortion, including adoption services, and the numerous public and private agencies and services that are available to assist women during pregnancy and after the birth of the child;
Compiling a list of the contraceptive methods available for both over-the-counter and directly through pharmacies, as California and Oregon have done; and
Other services the commissioner of health deems necessary to improve access to comprehensive family planning options.
Implementation and the continuation of the program established in this section is subject to the availability of federal funds made available to the state for that purpose.