LANSING- State Senator Gilda Z. Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods) today introduced bills aimed at protecting a woman’s access to affordable family planning services and preventing unintended pregnancies. The bills are part of a package introduced in the State Senate. The same bills have also been introduced in the House of Representatives.

“This legislative package is a comprehensive plan to stem the incidence of unintended pregnancies, while also giving women and young people the health information they need to make responsible choices,” said Senator Jacobs.

Senator Jacobs’ bills in the package would require insurance coverage for infertility treatments if pregnancy-related benefits are provided, and require any health facilities or agency that provides emergency care to offer information on and administer emergency contraception at the request of a rape victim. Earlier this year Senator Jacobs introduced Senate Bill 64 which would expand prescription coverage to include certain contraceptives.

“These bills represent common sense policies that we need to have in place to help women and young people make informed decisions about their future and their families,” said Senator Jacobs.

Statistics regarding unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are growing more and more alarming. According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), half of all pregnancies are unintended and one in four teen girls have a sexually transmitted disease.

“The only way to change those bleak statistics is with prevention and policies that help rather than hinder, a woman’s access to family planning services,” said Senator Jacobs.

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Senator Gilda Jacobs represents the 14th Senate District, which includes Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak Township, Southfield and Southfield Township. She is the Minority Vice Chair of the Campaign & Election Oversight, Families & Human Services and Finance committees. She is a member of the Economic Development & Regulatory Reform and Health Policy committees. She can be reached toll-free in Lansing at 1-888-937-4453.