Facing Uncertainty in Women’s Health Care: The Importance of Contraceptive Access
Two weeks ago, America re-elected Donald Trump, setting the stage for significant changes under his administration. As his cabinet takes shape and urgent priorities come to light, there is growing concern about the future of contraception—a critical focus for the nearly 90% of Americans who believe it should be legal and accessible.
The Role of Leadership in Contraceptive Access
With any shift in administration comes uncertainty, particularly regarding policies that directly impact women’s health. Today presents an opportunity for elected officials to address these uncertainties head-on. It is essential that our leaders commit to ensuring both the availability and affordability of vital contraceptive care.
Historically, leaders from both political parties have recognized the importance of accessible birth control. For instance, last year, federal lawmakers introduced the Orally Taken Contraception Act, aimed at streamlining the process for contraception companies to offer over-the-counter options.
South Carolina’s Proactive Approach
In South Carolina, a bipartisan initiative led to a significant legislative development two years ago. A law was signed by Republican Governor Henry McMaster, allowing for over-the-counter birth control at pharmacies. At that time, Governor McMaster emphasized, “If South Carolina wants to be a pro-life state, we must provide the means for people to avoid unwanted pregnancies.” Additionally, Nikki Haley, the former governor and a presidential candidate, vocalized her support for protecting contraceptive access as essential.
Recently, health care leaders in South Carolina have rallied around the cause of contraception access, aligning with the increasing demand for contraceptive services. New Morning, one of the largest contraceptive access initiatives in the U.S. and the organization I lead, has provided nearly 100,000 women with free and low-cost contraceptive options in the past year alone.
Proven Benefits of Accessible Contraception
Our experience in South Carolina highlights the positive impact of addressing the need for affordable and accessible contraception. Since launching our statewide access program in 2017, New Morning has served over half a million women, and unwanted births have decreased by 50%. Furthermore, the rate of unintended pregnancies in South Carolina has fallen from nearly 50% to 37% since 2015.
Expanding access to affordable contraception does not only benefit individual women but also the state’s economy. For every 10,000 women served, we have prevented over 2,000 unwanted pregnancies, 1,000 unplanned births, and 700 abortions. This translates into taxpayer savings of up to $19 million in maternal and birth-related expenses. Overall, serving more than 500,000 women since 2017 has saved South Carolina as much as $800 million in taxpayer dollars.
A Collaborative Effort
Achieving these goals required collaboration among elected leaders from both parties and healthcare practitioners statewide. We have worked tirelessly to overcome the barriers to contraceptive access in South Carolina, building New Morning’s network to over 150 partner clinics across all regions. Our nonpartisan organization continues to partner with stakeholders from various backgrounds who share our commitment to this essential work.
The Call to Action for Leaders
As we look towards the future, we must celebrate our achievements and reaffirm our dedication to affordable contraceptive access. The documented benefits of such access are vital, and any failure to uphold this commitment could lead to serious regression.
It is crucial to remember the women at the heart of this issue. For many, access to contraception is not just about policy; it is about enabling personal choices related to education, career, and family planning. Protecting contraceptive access is more urgent than ever.
In conclusion, contraception is life-changing, as demonstrated by the progress we have made in South Carolina. It is time for our leaders to step up and reinforce their commitment to making contraceptive care accessible for women and families throughout our state.
