The Indian Health Service is expanding access to emergency contraception but currently it will be limited to patients age 18 and over.

The IHS issued a verbal directive to clinics to dispense Plan B without a consultation or prescription. Advocates for Native women say the drug should be available to minors as well since a federal judge lifted limits that were imposed by the Obama administration.

“We’ve made some progress, and we have to acknowledge that, but there’s still more,” Charon Asetoyer, the executive director of the Native American Community Board. “They’re still violating our rights to access by denying women who are age 16 and under. We have to ask, why are we being treated differently?”

The IHS said emergency contraception will be offered without age restrictions once the Food and Drug Administration approves new labels for the project. A written policy is also still being finalized.

Get the Story:
IHS expands access to Plan B for Native American women; pill now offered without prescription (AP 9/19)

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