LANSING, Mich. (WNEM) – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that more than 300 sites across the state will have free contraception resources for families.

This is made possible through the Take Control of Your Birth Control program.

Resources available include over-the-counter oral contraceptive pills, emergency contraception, condoms, and family planning educational resources. The program was first announced in October and aims to expand access to contraception while supporting reproductive health.

Community partners, local health departments, MDHHS offices, and Federally Qualified Health Centers in every county across the state participate. Families are encouraged to come michigan.gov/takecontrol to find an interactive map of participating organizations.

Resources and contraceptives are available regardless of insurance and will continue as long as supplies are available.

“Everyone deserves the freedom to make their own decisions about their reproductive health,” said Governor Whitmer. “With more than 300 locations across Michigan now offering free birth control, emergency contraception and other essential reproductive health tools, we are taking steps to ensure all Michiganders have the support they need. need. Decisions about reproductive health care should be made between the woman, her doctor, and her trusted community. In Michigan, we must always protect your fundamental right to control your health and your future.

In addition to free supplies, Take Control of Your Birth Control will give Michiganders the information they need to continue getting lifesaving supplies covered in the future. The initiative provides information on how to use insurance to obtain free or low-cost contraception.

For those who do not have insurance, the program provides a guide to applying for coverage through Medicaid and Plan First! program, which provides health care coverage for a variety of family planning services, including birth control, STI testing and treatment.

“The goal of this program is to ensure that individuals, regardless of their circumstances, have access to tools that allow them to make their own decisions about their health and their future,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Director. “We appreciate the overwhelming support we have received from organizations eager to help distribute free contraception resources to individuals. We want to make sure that people who need and want these tools can get them easily. This campaign reflects the state’s continued commitment to ensuring equitable access to reproductive health services.

Plan first! was launched in 2023 and is a limited Medicaid benefit covering family planning services to those who do not qualify for traditional Medicaid. It is available to people of any age or gender who meet monthly income requirements and reside in Michigan.

Here’s how to apply Plan first! :

• Apply online at Michigan.gov/mibridges
• Call 855-789-5610.
• Visit a MDHHS County Field Office.

Additionally, open enrollment for health insurance began Friday, November 1. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) guarantees coverage of preventive services for women, including free birth control and contraceptive counseling, by almost all health insurance plans. Michigan residents can purchase a health insurance plan through January 15, 2025 by visiting Health insurance market or by calling 800-318-2596.

For other family planning resources, including information about low-cost or free reproductive health services provided by the State of Michigan, including through the state’s Medicaid program, visit Family planning.

Subscribe to TV5 Newsletter and get the latest local news and weather straight to your email every day.

Copyright 2024 WNEM. All rights reserved.