NH Extends Birth Control Prescriptions To 1 Year

CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire last week joined a growing number of states in extending birth control prescriptions. Governor Chris Sununu signed a new law that extends such prescriptions to one year. The previous limit was three months.

The Advance Contraceptive Coverage and Economic Security Statewide — or "ACCESS" — bill was sponsored by state Senator Donna Soucy, a Manchester Democrat.

Earlier this year, Soucy said the new law will "improve New Hampshire women’s access to basic and preventive health care, reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, and increase education and economic opportunities for women."

Planned Parenthood supported the bill.

"Consistent use of birth control is the best way to avoid unintended pregnancies," said Kayla Montgomery, of New Hampshire Planned Parenthood, earlier this year. "One in four women says she has missed taking birth control pills because she could not get the next pill pack in time ... (The bill) builds on that tradition by removing costly barriers, and ensuring more women are able to choose effective birth control methods that save money in the long run."

About a dozen states have extended birth control prescriptions to one year, according to The Associated Press. Rhode Island also approved the measure last week.

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