Mussman Maintains Commitment to Women’s Health

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is the chief sponsor of legislation that would expand women’s access to comprehensive health care by allowing pharmacists to prescribe contraceptive medicine over the counter.

“There is a great deal of unease for women across America as our president has declared his intentions to greatly restrict women’s health choices,” said Mussman. “Here in Illinois, I will continue to be a leading voice for protecting and expanding access to women’s health care across the state.”

Current Illinois law bars pharmacists from prescribing hormonal contraceptive patches and oral hormonal contraceptives over the counter. House Bill 274 eliminates the ban on pharmacists and grants them the ability to dispense contraceptives while also establishing rules and procedures for pharmacists to responsibly dispense them. Proponents of the bill include the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Pharmacists Association, and Mussman believes that this bill is necessary to make preventive health services more accessible.

“Streamlining access and removing barriers to contraceptives is a good health care policy for women. Limiting and restricting access can have serious consequences, which this legislation would help prevent and address,” said Mussman. “My goal is not only to protect women’s rights to make their own health care decisions but also to make it easier for women to do so by offering more convenient options..”

Mussman serves the 56th District, which includes portions of Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Roselle and Schaumburg.