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Since it became legal in the United States a half-century ago, birth control has provided enormous benefits to women and their families — indeed, it has been nothing short of revolutionary for women and society. When women have access to birth control, they can better plan and space their pregnancies, which improves health outcomes and enhances their lives and those of their families. Birth control has dramatically improved the ability of all women to participate actively and with dignity in the U.S. economy. And researchers have attributed the historic 40-year low in the teen pregnancy rate to the increase in access, especially to highly effective methods of birth control.1 Now, political attacks against women’s health care are threatening access to critical services that allow women to choose and readily obtain the birth control methods that are best for them. It is essential that we protect and continue to expand access to all forms of birth control.
Planned Parenthood sees this mission as part of a broad commitment to women’s health. Many people are unaware that our affiliate health centers qualify as essential health care providers. This means that other essential health care providers who may be inundated with patients requiring other primary care services (such as diagnosis and management of acute or chronic diseases) can partner with a Planned Parenthood affiliate for delivery of integrated preventive health care services, such as contraception and well-woman risk assessments and exams.
Like many other women’s health care providers, we work to ensure that all forms of birth control are available to women and advocate for innovative ways to expand access. By increasing access to all forms of birth control, including intrauterine devices (IUDs)...