Post election results see in an increase in birth control in Indiana and Michigan

NILES, Mich. -- The results of the presidential election are sparking a surge in demand for birth control across Indiana.

In just three days following the election, Planned Parenthood clinics across six states scheduled over 1,200 appointments for long-acting contraceptives, procedures that would typically fill a month’s schedule.

"Our patients have voiced a lot of anxiety about what their options are to prevent pregnancies. Planned Parenthood is here for them, and we have 11 health centers in the state of Indiana. We are spending whatever time is needed with patients to answer their questions and to ensure they can get the access to the care that they need," CEO and President of Planned Parenthood Rebecca Gibron said.

Gibron said Planned Parenthood tracked similar trends in 2022 following the Dobbs decision.

She says patients are striving to take control of their futures by making informed choices about their reproductive healthcare.

In response to the surge in demand, Planned Parenthood has expanded vasectomy services at all 11 Indiana health centers, with a focus on providing access to a range of contraceptive options to meet the needs of the community.

Despite this, Gibron says Planned Parenthood is not going anywhere and will continue to fight for patient's right to reproductive healthcare.

"We're going to continue to fight in the corridors in the statehouse for patient's right to access sexual and reproductive healthcare. Every person deserves the ability to make their healthcare decisions. Lawmakers shouldn't be making these decisions for Hoosiers. We will continue to fight for reproductive freedom, and we will continue to provide healthcare," Gibron said.

Meanwhile in Michigan, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer just announced a new program that will help Michiganders make decisions regarding their reproductive health. Over 300 locations across Michigan will now offer free contraception resources.

"We are already providers for birth control. We provide Telehealth and in-person visits for birth control services. When the state offered to provide free birth control, we wanted to offer that to potential new clients and our clients that we already have," Berrien County Health Department Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Parrette said.

The Take Control of Your Birth Control program provides resources through local health departments and community partners as part of an initiative to support reproductive health care.

These services, including emergency contraception and over-the-counter birth control pills, condoms and family planning educational resources are available free of charge, with no insurance needed. It's the latest move in Governor Whitmer's push to make reproductive health care more accessible for all Michiganders.

Parrette says the turnout has been great. She says she is looking forward to giving people the opportunity to make informed decisions about their bodies.

"We've been in this business for a while but sometimes people don't know that, and they don't know that the resources are here. To have an expanded resource and the word out information from MDHAS has been very helpful," Parrette said.

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