Binghamton University pharmacy students traveled to Albany on February 9th to advocate for expanded reproductive healthcare access, focusing on legislation that would increase availability of emergency contraception and hormonal birth control.
The students, working with the Fresh York Birth Control Access Project (NYBCAP), met with state legislators and their staff to promote the “Campuses With Emergency Contraception Act.” This bill would mandate that all State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) campuses provide at least one emergency contraceptive vending machine. They as well discussed bill S1703/A2514, which aims to allow New York pharmacists to prescribe, dispense, and administer the hormonal birth control shot via standing order.
Andrea Settembrini, a second-year PharmD student at Binghamton University, described the experience as a valuable opportunity to understand the impact of birth control access. “I was able to hear a wide variety of stories that reinforced the importance of equitable access to women’s healthcare,” Settembrini said. “From individuals sharing how birth control helps them live with their PCOS, to others being the first individual in their family to achieve higher education simply due to this access, I saw many ways in which birth control is integral to our daily lives.”
Preparation for the “Albany Day” involved four training sessions for participating students. These sessions covered the legislative process in New York State, the specifics of the proposed legislation, effective communication strategies for speaking with legislators, and logistical details for the day. Students were taught how to share personal anecdotes to emphasize the importance of the legislation.
The initiative builds upon existing perform within Binghamton University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SOPPS). Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice Taylor Clark, and Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice Sarah Lynch, have incorporated birth control education into the curriculum. Lynch highlighted NYBCAP’s role in advocating for expanded scope of practice for pharmacists regarding self-administered hormonal contraceptives. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to participate in events like Albany Day so that they can better understand the importance and role of professional advocacy and how it can impact our profession,” she said.
In addition to meetings with legislators, the students participated in a table talk lunch with a guest speaker, toured the Capitol building, and observed sessions of the Senate and Assembly. Settembrini emphasized the importance of leveraging the unique skills and knowledge of pharmacy professionals to advocate for equitable healthcare access. “Participating in events like these further your knowledge on how the government works, how laws get made, and how we can have an active role in this process,” she stated.
Recent developments in New York State have focused on addressing challenges to birth control access, with lawmakers exploring various solutions, according to reporting from Statnews.com.
