(Photo) Senator Fazio Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Expand Access to Birth Control

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2023

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Hannah Lemek
860-406-1939
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Senator Fazio Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Expand Access to Birth Control

HARTFORD- Today, Senator Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) applauded the State Senate’s passage of legislation he introduced to expand access to birth control in Connecticut. S.B. 171 would permit women to obtain prescription contraceptives directly from a highly educated, well-trained pharmacist in a manner that has proven effective in over 20 other states.

“This legislation will give women more choice over their health care decisions, better access, and reduce costs,” said Senator Fazio. “More than 20 other states have successfully implemented this reform, and Connecticut should be the next. It does not impose any mandates but simply gives more optionality, which is why it has also been supported by those in the medical community. Women’s health is not a partisan but a moral issue. I thank the many legislators of both parties and the administration officials that have publicly supported this proposal.”

The bill, which provides pharmacists and their technicians with training, is supported by Governor Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz, the state Department of Consumer Protection, the Connecticut Pharmacists Association, the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

“From reading and paying attention to the good public policy being passed in states around the country, I believed this bill proposal was a commonsense reform for Connecticut,” Sen. Fazio said. “Increased access to birth control is crucial to women with fewer resources and worse health care. Surveys of women discussing the issue show that 75% feel confident in the ability of their pharmacists to prescribe birth control. From all the evidence, the states that have passed this law are very happy with the outcome.”

The bill now awaits a vote in the House of Representatives. The Connecticut General Assembly’s session ends on June 7.

Sen. Fazio represents Greenwich, New Canaan and Stamford.

Attached photo, left to right: Rep. Holly Cheeseman (R-East Lyme), Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich), and Sen. Heather Somers (R-Groton) visited a CVS Pharmacy in February to discuss legislation to permit women to obtain prescription contraceptives directly from a pharmacist without requiring a trip to the doctor. The bill was passed overwhelmingly by the State Senate in the early hours of May 26.

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HANNAH LEMEK
PRESS SECRETARY
SENATE REPUBLICAN OFFICE

Cell: (860) 406-1939