Bill > HR4084

This bill establishes new requirements for pharmacies to ensure access to contraception and related medications. Specifically, pharmacies that receive FDA-approved contraceptive drugs or devices must provide these medications to customers without delay, either by immediately dispensing in-stock items or by offering alternative options like referral to another pharmacy or expedited ordering if the item is not currently in stock. The bill mandates that pharmacies create an environment free from intimidation, harassment, or obstruction when customers request contraceptives, and prohibits employees from misrepresenting medication availability, breaching medical confidentiality, or refusing to return valid prescriptions. Pharmacies can still refuse to provide contraceptives in cases of unlawful prescription, customer inability to pay, or based on professional clinical judgment. The bill includes enforcement mechanisms such as civil penalties up to $1,000 per day of violation and allows aggrieved individuals to file civil lawsuits. The legislation aims to address barriers to contraception access, particularly for marginalized communities, and comes in response to increasing reports of pharmacists refusing to dispense birth control, especially following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. By establishing these nationwide standards, the bill seeks to protect contraceptive access as a fundamental right and reduce systemic inequities in healthcare delivery.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4084/all-info