Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has announced that Medicaid recipients in the state will now have access to the first over-the-counter birth control pill, known as Opill. This pill will be available without the need for a doctor's prescription and at no out-of-pocket cost. The availability of Opill is seen as crucial in light of ongoing attacks on women's reproductive freedoms in Wisconsin and across the country. BadgerCare Plus, the state's Medicaid program, currently covers over-the-counter daily oral contraception with a prescription, but the new standing order from Governor Evers will allow for Opill to be obtained without a prescription. The suggested retail price for a one-month supply is around $20.

Opill, which was approved by the FDA in July, is a progestin-only pill that must be taken daily at the same time. It is about 93% effective and generally safe for most people who could get pregnant, including those as young as 15. The pill is available for purchase online, with major retailers like CVS and Walgreens soon to carry it as well. Opill is also available for purchase on Amazon, Opill.com, Walmart, Target, and CVS. A one-month supply costs $19.99, while a three-month supply is $49.99 and a six-month supply is $89.99.

Opill has been a trusted contraceptive option for decades, and its availability without a prescription is seen as a major game-changer for women who face barriers in accessing birth control. The pill is estrogen-free and generally carries fewer side effects than other hormonal birth control options. While Opill is a new option for women in the United States, birth control pills have been available without a prescription in other parts of the world for years.