In the wake of a Trump-appointed judge ruling to move to block mifepristone across the country, the Democratic-led legislature is working to protect Nevadans’ contraception access and reproductive freedoms with AB383, the Right to Contraception Act. This comes in addition to SJR7, which would enshrine abortion protections in the state Constitution.
Governor Lombardo, however, hasn’t uttered a word on either the ruling or Democrats’ efforts to safeguard Nevadans’ reproductive rights, despite Silver State voters overwhelmingly supporting the right to choose.
Read more below about Nevada Democrats leading the way to protect reproductive freedoms.
The Nevada Independent: Legislators want to double down on contraception access after court rulings
Jannelle Calderon
April 12, 2023
Key Points:
- Nevada lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit any government limitations or requirements that may block patients’ access to birth control and reproductive health services.
- Assemblywoman Selena Torres (D-Las Vegas) said the Legislature “must provide clarity and assurance” to Nevadans that access to reproductive health care and contraception is protected, especially in the wake of recent federal judicial decisions including last week’s ruling to suspend the sale of one of two drugs used together to cause an abortion and a decision by a Texas federal judge last December to strike down a federal provision allowing minors to access contraception without parental approval.
- AB383 would create the Right to Contraception Act, which would guarantee Nevadans the right to contraception and protect health care providers who administer and prescribe it, as well as aim to expand availability of affordable care.
- Torres’ bill comes as lawmakers are also considering a proposed constitutional amendment, SJR7, to guarantee “a fundamental right to reproductive freedom.”
- Bill proponents pointed to the Friday ruling from a federal judge in Texas that invalidated the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone, an abortion drug, on the argument that the agency overlooked safety risks. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) said over the weekend that “the next step is contraception,” echoing concerns from advocates as some states have taken steps to cut Medicaid funding for emergency contraception and IUDs.
- Nevada lawmakers in recent years have expanded access to birth control. During the 2021 session, lawmakers passed SB190 to increase contraception accessibility and allow certain neighborhood pharmacists to provide birth control without a prescription from a doctor. And in 2017, lawmakers authorized health care providers to prescribe a 12-month supply at a time to “make it more convenient for Nevadans to access consistent care,” Torres said.
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