Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs on Monday issued an executive order expanding access to contraception for Arizonans who work for the state.
hobbes command Requires the Arizona Department of Government to designate oral contraceptives as a preventive “essential health benefit” that must be provided free of charge to state employees. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the official name for Arizona's Medicaid program, was also ordered to submit a report to Hobbs about expanding contraceptive coverage for its members.
“Access to contraceptives is a right,” Hobbs said in a press release announcing the executive order. “As our members of Congress have told Arizona women, put an aspirin between your knees Instead of taking action to pass the Arizona Contraceptive Rights ActI will continue to protect reproductive freedom and do everything I can to ensure all Arizonans have access to birth control. ”
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Hobbs' order also directs the Arizona Department of Health Services and the state Board of Pharmacy to educate pharmacists about contraceptive options to ensure full compliance with the executive order.
The governor has ordered ADOA and the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions to submit a report on the possibility of including coverage in the state health plan for not only contraception but also infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization.
The executive order comes shortly after the state Legislature moved to repeal an 1864 near-total ban on abortion. However, the repeal won't take place until 90 days after Congress adjourns, and it's unclear when that will happen. Last year, lawmakers remained in session until July 31.
The Arizona Supreme Court last week Postponed until September The justices argued that implementation of the 1864 law takes precedence over a 2022 law that limits abortions to the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, allowing Attorney General Chris Mays to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Voters will have the opportunity to enshrine reproductive health protections into the state constitution in November. Arizona Abortion Access Act.
