It's Back Up Your Birth Control Day!

by Darsana Srinivasan, Health Fellow
National Women’s Law Center

BUYBC Day is part of a larger campaign sponsored by over 100 organizations, including the National Women’s Law Center. The campaign is about improving access to and education about emergency contraception (EC), one woman at a time. This year’s theme focuses on the barriers low-income women face trying to obtain EC. For example, EC is expensive but insurance companies do not cover drugs that are over-the-counter like EC, and only a few states give Medicaid coverage of EC without first requiring a prescription, thus delaying access to this time-sensitive method of pregnancy prevention.

Do you know how to celebrate BUYBC Day? It’s simple: Go stock your medicine cabinet with EC and encourage your friends and family to do the same! I know we all like to procrastinate, but in this instance wouldn’t you rather have it on hand instead of waiting for the risk of an unintended pregnancy to take you by surprise? If you’re 18 and over you can get it over-the-counter at most pharmacies. And remember, you don’t have to be female to buy it—this means male friends and boyfriends can help celebrate, too!