Whereas cost is a significant barrier to people accessing contraception, particularly to people with low incomes, youth, and people from marginalized communities; And whereas providing free prescription contraception has been shown to improve health outcomes for parents and infants by reducing the risks associated with unintended pregnancy, and is likely to reduce direct medical costs on the provincial health system; And whereas contraceptive methods targeted at men and those with penises i.e., condoms or vasectomies are available at low cost, no cost, or are covered by BCs Medical Services Plan; And whereas contraceptive methods for people with uteruses i.e. birth control pills, intra-uterine devices, or hormone injections have high up-front costs, making access to contraception unequal and gendered: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to make all prescription contraception in BC available at no cost under the Medical Services Plan.
Ministry of Health The Ministry of Health the Ministry recognizes the right of all BC residents to make and implement informed choices about their own sexual and reproductive health. In recognition of this right, the Ministry is committed to removing cost as a barrier to BC residents timely, effective, and equitable access to contraception. The Ministry is currently reviewing options to provide contraception at no cost through the BC Pharmacare program. During this review period, the Ministry and the Province of British Columbia the Province will continue to provide BC residents coverage for select contraceptives. Many BC residents have pharmaceutical coverage under the universal, income-based Fair PharmaCare plan. Fair PharmaCare provides families with coverage for eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies based on their net income. The lower their income, the more help they receive. British Columbians with the lowest incomes do not need to meet a deductible and receive immediate assistance. The Province has several programs in place to provide access to no cost pharmaceuticals, including contraception, for people living with low income. In January 2019, BC announced a 105 million investment to reduce or eliminate deductibles or co-payments for 240,000 lower-income families in our province. This included access to contraceptives in the BC formulary, such as oral contraceptive pills, hormonal injectables and some intrauterine devices IUDs either as a Regular Benefit e.g., one type of hormonal IUD or for other IUDs requested by physicians through the Special Authority Program. In addition, select PharmaCare plans provide coverage for contraceptives without the need to meet a deductible. The Recipients of BC Income Assistance Plan PharmaCare Plan C provides 100 percent coverage of eligible prescription costs for women receiving medical benefits and income assistance through the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. The First Nations Health Benefits Plan Plan W provides 100 percent coverage of eligible prescription costs and certain medical supplies and devices, including contraceptives, for clients of the First Nations Health Authority. Additionally, Options for Sexual Health https:www.optionsforsexualhealth.org is an organization with more than 60 clinics across BC staffed by nurses, doctors and trained volunteers. They offer birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives and supplies, sexually transmitted infection and PAP testing, pregnancy testing and pro-choice options counselling, and general sexual health information including comprehensive sexual health education workshops and referrals. Some youth clinics in Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Vancouver Island Sexual Health Authority, provide access to free contraception; please note ages and contraceptives covered vary.