Tester Votes to Protect Montanans’ Freedom to Make Personal Health Care Decisions

Senator is only member of Montana’s delegation to support the Right to Contraception Act to safeguard access to health care and contraceptives

As part of his longstanding efforts to defend Montanans’ freedoms and privacy to make their own personal health care decisions, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today voted for legislation that would protect Montanans’ right to access and provide contraception.

“Montanans across our state tell me they don’t want the federal government in their bedrooms, and they don’t want politicians or judges stripping away their personal freedoms,” said Tester. “I’m proud to support the Right to Contraception Act because I will always vote to protect Montanans’ freedom to make their own personal health care decisions.” 

Tester is an original co-sponsor of the Right to Contraception Act, which would guarantee the right for individuals to obtain and use contraceptives, and for health providers to prescribe contraceptives and give information related to contraception.

Tester has led the fight to ensure that Montana women have access to safe and effective health care.

Tester is a strong supporter of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would guarantee the right to privacy for women making personal healthcare decisions by codifying Roe v. Wade. In February, Tester co-sponsored the Access to Family Building Act to safeguard Montana families’ access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology.

Last year, Tester sent a letter to Walgreens and CVS’ executives pressing the companies to take immediate action to ensure that all women, including those in rural areas like Montana, have access to safe and effective health care. Tester’s letter came in response to Walgreens’ decision limiting the sale of mifepristone and misoprostol, even in states like Montana where the medications are legal. Tester’s pushback was successful – after sending his letter, CVS and Walgreens announced they planned to become certified and offer mifepristone and misoprostol in states like Montana where laws would allow pharmacies to dispense it. Tester has also signed onto bicameral amicus briefs calling on the Supreme Court to reject a decision that would restrict access to mifepristone.