The Michigan “Take Control of Your Birth Control” program has kicked off offering free birth control, contraceptives and more. The program has the mission “to ensure Michigan families have access to free contraception including over-the-counter oral birth control pills, emergency contraception, condoms, and family planning educational resources through community partners and federally qualified health centers across the state during the month of November,” according to a statement.

Michigan ‘Take Control of Your Birth Control’ Offers Free Birth Control and More

Take Control of Your Birth Control is funded via the bipartisan budget, according to the Governor’s office. The goal is to “ensure all Michiganders have convenient access to family planning resources.”

In addition to free supplies, “Take Control of Your Birth Control” will give Michiganders information on how to get supplies covered going forward. Also, the initiative will offer information on how to apply for coverage through Medicaid and the Plan First program, which offer health care coverage for a variety of family planning services, including birth control, STI testing and treatment.

“Everyone, no matter how much money they make, deserves to make their own decisions about their own reproductive health and future,” Governor Whitmer said in a statement. “With our family planning initiative, ‘Take Control of Your Birth Control,’ we are building on our work to protect reproductive freedom for all Michiganders.”

She added, “By expanding access to essential family planning tools, we are underscoring our commitment to ensuring Michiganders, along with their families and trusted health care providers, can make their own decisions about their own bodies and lives.”

“Family planning tools are an essential component of public health all Michigan residents should be able to access,” added Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive. “We want to make sure that individuals who need and want these tools can easily obtain them, and we are committed to helping people take control of their reproductive health in a way that is both empowered and informed.”

“The freedom to plan is as essential as reproductive healthcare access. With programs like Plan First and the Reproductive Health Act, we’re ensuring Michiganders can make informed decisions about their health and their future,” said state Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City). “With other states making it more difficult to obtain preventative screenings and birth control, I’m glad Michigan is expanding this vital healthcare coverage and protecting personal choice when it comes to family planning.”

“All Michiganders — regardless of their background, income, or zip code — deserve the fundamental human right to reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy,” said state Senator Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.). “My colleagues and I have fought hard to deliver on legislation that protects and expands access to reproductive health services, and we’ll continue doing everything in our power to ensure that Michigan residents have the freedom to plan their families and futures on their own terms.”

For more information on the Take Control of Your Birth Control campaign, including a distribution site map, please direct patients and providers to Michigan.gov/takecontrol.

Note that open enrollment for health insurance begins Friday, Nov. 1. The Affordable Care Act guarantees coverage of women’s preventive services, including free birth control and contraceptive counseling, by nearly all health insurance plans. Michiganders can shop for a health insurance plan by visiting the Health Insurance Marketplace or by calling 800-318-2596.