We Refuse to Be Silent When Care is Denied
Let’s share our stories to ensure we can speak out and show up to push for change, fight for our rights, and care for each other!
Refusals to fill a prescription or people trying to put up barriers to access to information or care about abortion or emergency contraception are not new, but with abortion being banned, health professionals scared to be arrested and extremist politicians putting up more and more obstacles it is getting worse.
Since Roe was overturned, we have seen people with chronic health conditions refused their prescription if the medication could harm a pregnancy. This impacts folks seeking medicine for everything from acne and arthritis to ulcers and cancer care. Major pharmacies have policies allowing their pharmacists to deny medication to people they suspect are trying to circumvent state laws restricting abortion.
There are also a number of reports of doctors and emergency rooms denying or delaying care related to miscarriage treatment or pregnancy complications because they are afraid of bumping against abortion bans putting patients in real danger!
The Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom is collecting data on refusals. By collecting this information, we hope to educate and inform the public and be better positioned for ongoing advocacy and support. If you or someone you know has been denied medication by pharmacies or pregnancy related care from a healthcare professional in connection to the overturning of Roe V. Wade or a state abortion ban or restriction, we'd like to hear about it.
Please complete our survey here!
If a Pharmacy is Refusing to Fill Your Prescription:
Call your doctor. Talk with the professional who prescribed the medication.
If your doctor is refusing to prescribe your medication, try to find a new provider.
If you need a referral, call the relevant professional body like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or a patient-advocacy group, like the Arthritis Foundation or whatever group is related to the condition your medication is meant to treat.
How to Respond to a Refusal of Emergency Contraception
File a complaint with your state’s pharmacy board to get sanctions against the pharmacist or pharmacy.
Communicate your story to the press.
Ask the state pharmacy board or legislature to put in place policies that will ensure every consumer’s right to access legal pharmaceuticals.
Alert the pharmacy’s corporate headquarters; many of the major pharmacy chains have policies that protect women’s right to receive contraception in store, without discrimination or delay.
Get EC today, before you need it!
If you have had trouble getting your prescription for EC or birth control pills filled or getting non-prescription EC, please contact the National Women’s Law Center at 1-866-745-5487 or coverher@nwlc.org.