Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 1.

Under present law, the department of health must administer a program to improve access to voluntary reversible long-acting contraception (VRLACs) for women. The program must include: <br /> <br /> (1) Training for family planning centers regarding contraceptive methods, including VRLACs, client-centered and non-coercive counseling strategies, and managing side effects; <br /> <br /> (2) Training for all public health facilities to ensure that they are qualified to provide forms of contraception, including VRLACs; <br /> <br /> (3) 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; <br /> <br /> (4) 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; <br /> <br /> (5) Education and outreach to the public about the availability, effectiveness, and safety of contraception including VRLAC; <br /> <br /> (6) 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;<br /> <br /> (7) Compiling a list of the contraceptive methods available for both over-the-counter and directly through pharmacies, as California and Oregon have done; and <br /> <br /> (8) Other services the commissioner of health deems necessary to improve access to comprehensive family planning options. <br /> <br /> Implementation and continuation of this program is subject to the availability of federal funds made available to the state for that purpose. <br /> <br /> This bill deletes (4) and, instead, requires the program to make VRLACs available for same-day access by patients at no charge to the patient at all family planning centers in this state. This bill also deletes the provision of law limiting the implementation and continuation of the program on the availability of federal funds made available to the state for that purpose. <br />