CA birth control bill may allow nurse prescriptions

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KABC) -- Women may no longer require a prescription from their doctor to get birth control pills. The state Assembly passed a bill Thursday that would let nurses, nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives give out contraceptives as well.

Assembly Democrats all backed the plan, saying it would give more women access to the health care they need. Democratic Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell of Los Angeles said she wrote the bill to give women better access to birth control.

Assembly Republicans opposed the plan, saying only doctors have the expertise needed to administer prescription medicine.

The bill passed 41-26 on a party line vote. It will now move on to the senate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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