INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana hospitals could soon be required to offer contraceptive implants to women who have given birth thanks to a bill making its way through the Indiana Senate Committee.
According to those who back the bill, the impetus behind the bill is the state’s current 50 percent rate of unintended pregnancies.
”Certainly, the goal is to minimize pregnancies that are unintended in the state,” State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D, South Bend), said.
HB 1426 would require hospitals to prescribe women who have given birth a contraceptive implant in the arm at the patient’s request. Women would need to be on Medicaid or Medicaid-eligible in order to qualify, and hospitals could be provided a religious exemption. Despite these restrictions, Rep. Bauer said the bill could be a huge win for Indiana women given the state’s tight restrictions on abortion.
”Any progress we make on expanding birth control access for women in Indiana is a step in the right direction,” State Rep. Bauer.
According to Rep. Bauer and other authors of the bill, the state could save nearly $1.5 billion in Medicaid costs over the next three years. But a notable change to the bill has some lawmakers and OBGYNs concerned. Dr. Caroline Rouse said the original bill would have required hospitals to offer IUDs in addition to contraceptive implants.
”When IUDs are intentionally left out of legislation requiring that these devices be covered… we become concerned about the fact that choices are being decreased,” Dr. Rouse said.
Some lawmakers said the change leaves many Hoosier women on Medicaid without a viable option.
”I think for those who may be the subdermal is contraindicated, then that doesn’t leave a choice,” State Sen. Shelli Yoder said during a Senate Committee Meeting this week.
One of the bill’s co-authors said the IUD requirement was removed due to concerns from pro-life groups.
”Right to Life came and they said,’ You know, they don’t believe in the IUD because we believe that might have an abortive effect to it,’” State Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R, Evansville) said.
A spokesperson for Indiana Right to Life said the group has not taken a position on the bill and will not be testifying.
The amended bill passed 8-2 and has since been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
