Would this Oklahoma bill actually ban IUDs, Plan B? What we know about HB 3216

Alexia Aston, The Oklahoman

An Oklahoma bill seeks to place further restrictions on abortion in the state, prompting questions from lawmakers about whether the bill would ban emergency contraceptives, like "the morning-after pill" and IUDs.

Authored by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, the bill would allow lawsuits for those who help women obtain abortions and would allow the state to identify women who obtain them. It also targets contraceptives that induce an abortion or prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg.

Here's everything we know.

Would House Bill 3216 ban IUDs and Plan B?

The current iteration of the bill would ostensibly prohibit the sale, prescription and administration of contraceptive measures intended to induce an abortion or prevent a fertilized egg from being implanted into the uterus. However, the bill's author has said that he plans to change that language.

IUDs create inflammation in the uterus, the Cleveland Clinic reports, which creates a toxic environment to sperm. This prevents the sperm from reaching the fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg.

The "morning after pill," or "Plan B," prevents ovulation, which is the phase of a menstrual cycle that releases an egg from the ovaries that can then be fertilized by sperm.

When HB 3216 was under debate in the House Public Health Committee last week, one lawmaker questioned whether that part of the bill would ban intrauterine devices, like IUDs.

West said that this section of the bill intended to "specifically target the over-the-counter items that are not always safe for everybody," he said.

Emergency contraception, like the “morning after” pill or “Plan B,” does not require a prescription.

West vowed to change the bill's language before it goes to the House floor to clarify that the target is over-the-counter contraception that isn't used under a physician's supervision.

Would House Bill 3216 create a database of women who've had an abortion?

House Bill 3216 would require physicians to file a report with the health department 15 days after performing an abortion with information including:

  • A "unique patient identifier" that would allow the health department to identify the patient, if legally required

  • The date of the procedure

  • The "probable gestational age" of the fetus and the method used for it

  • A statement declaring the procedure was necessary to preserve the patient's life

  • Medical indications supporting the procedure was necessary to preserve the patient's life

The bill requires the health department to establish a confidential system of creating and distributing unique patient identifiers.

After hearing concerns during the committee meeting, West said he's willing to adjust the bill so that the health department could collect some information on procedures, but not specific individuals.

Is Plan B banned in some states?

Emergency contraceptives like "Plan B" are legal in all 50 states.

West's bill targets over-the-counter contraception, however, some IUDs work well as emergency contraceptives and require a prescription.

According to Planned Parenthood, the Paragard, Mirena and Liletta IUDs are the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy after sex if they're put in within 120 hours, or five days, after unprotected sex.

Getting an IUD costs anywhere between $0 to $1,300, according to Planned Parenthood, but they can be free or low-cost with many health insurance plans, Medicaid and other government programs.

For more information on how to get an IUD, contact a gynecologist, family planning clinics or a local Planned Parenthood.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HB 3216: Bill targeting abortion, morning after pill

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