(AP) — California women with private insurance could get up to a year's worth of birth control at one time under legislation approved in the state Senate.
Lawmakers voted Monday to allow pharmacists to dispense 12 months of hormonal contraceptive, up from the current three-month limit, and to require insurance companies to pay.
Democratic Sen. Fran Pavley of Agoura Hills says SB999 would prevent unintended pregnancies and abortions.
Health insurance companies oppose the measure, warning it could increase costs for health coverage.
The Senate's 28-6 vote sends the measure to the state Assembly.
California currently covers up to 12 months of birth control for women on Medi-Cal, the health plan for the poor. The state would follow Oregon and the District of Columbia in requiring private insurers to cover it.
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