GOP bill would allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republican lawmakers find themselves in an unusual position, advocating for a bill they’ve introduced that broadens access to birth control.

Anti-abortion groups that are typically their allies are firmly against the measure, which would allow pharmacists to prescribe birth-control pills. A public hearing on the bill was scheduled for Wednesday in the Assembly Health Committee.

The proposal will give Republicans a chance to argue they are advocating for women on the issue of expanding access to birth control, an area of policy on which Democrats typically lead.

No Democrat has signed on to the proposal, even though they also favor increasing access to birth control. Democrats have introduced their own bill placing fewer restrictions on pharmacists. That proposal has no Republican sponsors and has not been scheduled for a hearing.

Ten other states have laws allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control.