Access to LARCs Act

This bill, known as the "Access to LARCs Act," mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services undertake a comprehensive study. The study's primary focus is to assess the access of women in need to a range of contraceptive methods at community health centers situated within designated health care deserts . The required analysis for this study includes identifying barriers related to reimbursement, inventory stocking, provider training, and patient education that hinder community health centers from providing diverse contraceptive options. It also specifically requires indicating which of these centers are recipients of funding under Title X of the Public Health Service Act. Following the completion of this study, the Secretary is directed to submit a detailed report to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment, outlining all the findings and results. The bill defines a "health care desert" as an area with fewer than one community health center per 1,000 women in need, and "range of contraceptive methods" broadly to include approved drugs, devices, sexual risk avoidance education, and natural family planning.