On Saturday Gov Jerry Brown signed a bill during a visit to a Los Angeles Planned Parenthood clinic that allows nurses to dispense birth control, making it easier for women to get contraceptives. Brown, a Democrat, was joined by women’s health advocates who cheered the signing of the bill.
“At a time when some seek to turn back the clock and restrict women’s health choices, California is expanding access to birth control and reaffirming every woman’s basic Constitutional rights,” Brown said.
This bill was authored by Democratic Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, was passed by lawmakers in August. It allows registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives to dispense the pill, patches and rings.
The head of the California Family Health Council, Julie Rabinovitz applauded the governor for working to expand access to contraception for women.
“With his signature, the governor also took action to address provider shortages statewide by allowing RNs to work to the full extent of their scope and training,” Rabinovitz said Saturday. “This is especially important in our changing health care landscape.” Fox News
Democratic Sen. Kevin De Leon said the bill would reduce delays for women because the state is facing a physician shortage.
Republican Sen. Joel Anderson opposed it, saying nurses should have trained to become physicians if they wanted to dispense medications.
Anderson also said the bill would reduce medical standards, recalling a time when “abortions were committed with coat hangers in back alleys.”
