What The Overturning of Roe v. Wade Means for You and Your Birth Control
Reviewed by Dr. Lisa Czanko MD, MPH
On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade ruling, which means there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion, and abortion rights will now be determined by states. We know that with all change comes many questions, and because this particular change directly affects our community of women and people born with ovaries, we’re here to help you understand how this decision could impact your access to birth control.
We are navigating this journey in real-time as information becomes available and consequential decisions are made. What we know now is that there are no changes to access to birth control. If you are interested in starting birth control or are looking to change your contraceptive method, you can reach a doctor here. And remember that if you are already using hormonal birth control, it’s essential to take it as directed to prevent pregnancy. We also continue to offer emergency contraception, which you can add to your birth control order at no additional charge with insurance.
Below is a list of additional questions you may have in response to this news. We will continue to add to it as we receive more information – please also feel free to reach out to our Patient Experience team at support@simplehealth.com.
Lastly, we want to assure you that SimpleHealth stands firm in our belief in providing health education for women and people born with ovaries, affordable access to birth control options, and the preservation of our reproductive freedoms. We will continue to work diligently to ensure everyone gets the reproductive care they need.
Thank you for being with us during this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get birth control?
Yes. If you are a current patient of SimpleHealth or would like to become one, you can still get birth control through us. We currently serve Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming — and we are working to expand to new states. We are closely monitoring the situation and patients will be notified of any changes that impact their birth control delivery. FC2, the internal condom, is another contraception option that can be added to birth control refills at no cost with insurance.
Can I still get emergency contraception?
Yes, if you are a SimpleHealth patient or would like to become one, prescription emergency contraception is still available through our doctors. There are also over-the-counter options available at drug stores – and we are working to make one available through SimpleHealth. We are closely monitoring the situation and patients will be notified of any changes that impact their birth control delivery.
Is emergency contraception an abortion?
No. Emergency contraception is not the same as an abortion pill. While an abortion pill ends an existing pregnancy, emergency contraception prevents a pregnancy from occurring. The prescription emergency contraception pill we offer (ella) prevents or delays ovulation from happening, so the sperm and egg never meet. This means that after unprotected sex, the sperm find they have no egg to fertilize. Emergency contraception is also available over-the-counter (Plan B).
What’s the difference between birth control and emergency contraception?
Hormonal birth control is a daily medication (a pill, patch, or ring) that prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation, thickening the cervical mucus to make it harder for sperm to swim through the cervix and find an egg to fertilize, and thinning the lining of the uterus to make it more difficult for an egg to attach. When used correctly (taken at the same time every day), hormonal birth control is 99.7% effective.
Emergency contraception, commonly known as “the morning-after pill” is a one-time medication taken after unprotected sex that most commonly works by preventing or delaying ovulation.
Can I share my emergency contraception with anyone?
There’s no law or policy that says the person purchasing over-the-counter emergency contraception must be the person taking the emergency contraception. However, prescription emergency contraception should only be taken by the person for whom it was prescribed.
Will my data get shared if I search for SimpleHealth on my phone?
SimpleHealth will never sell or send your data to a third party without your consent.
Can I stock up on a year of birth control?
Most of our hormonal birth control pills come in a three-month supply. We are also currently looking at options to make year-long supplies available to patients. Other options include Annovera (a vaginal ring) which can be used for one year.
Can I stock up on extra doses of emergency contraception?
As of right now, you can purchase additional doses of over-the-counter emergency contraception at drug stores. We currently do not offer multiple purchasing but plan to in the near future.
What are my options for preventing pregnancy? What else can I do to prevent pregnancy?
Contraceptive options include hormonal birth control (the pill, patch, or ring),condoms, internal condoms, spermicide, IUDs, shots, and sterilization. Talk to your doctor about what method is right for you.
How does this ruling affect SimpleHealth as a business?
SimpleHealth is devoted to supporting our patients and providing expert care no matter the political atmosphere in the U.S. We will continue to care for your birth control needs and monitor the situation closely.
Can I get in trouble in my state for ordering birth control or emergency contraception through SimpleHealth?
No. Right now, you can still access birth control and emergency contraceptives. We are closely monitoring the situation and patients will be notified of any changes that impact the delivery of these medications.
