Idaho panel spikes 12-month supply of birth control bill

Senate Republicans have killed an Idaho Democrat’s bill that would have allowed women to receive up to a 12-month supply of prescribed birth control.

Currently, most Idaho insurance providers have a one-month or three-month limit.

Democratic Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb, the bill’s sponsor, says her proposal is needed because women in rural areas have limited access to pharmacies and birth control is dependent on consistent use.

Eleven states have such laws in place.

However, the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee on Tuesday spiked the proposal after some opponents questioned the necessity of the bill.

Sen. Tony Potts, a Republican from Idaho Falls, argued that part of life is being able to manage medication.