Thank you Senator Charbonneau and members of the committee. My name is Dr. Tony GiaQuinta. I am a Fort Wayne Pediatrician, and the past-president of the Indiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

I am here today to testify in support of HB 1468, extra emphasis on the amendment that permits the Indiana Board of Pharmacy, in partnership with the Indiana State Medical Association, to develop a protocol to specify pharmacist training to enable self-administered birth control prescribed and dispensed at a pharmacy to individuals 18 and older.

Now, you may wonder why a pediatrician, charged with the health of Indiana’s children, rescheduled his clinic today to support a bill targeting women over 18.

In fact, I believe this amendment is above all, a bill that promotes the health and success of Hoosier children.

Here’s the gist: imagine if more pregnancies were planned and hoped for.

When I see a newborn in my clinic, I always share my excitement, proclaiming, “I’ve got big plans for this one!”

For many, a mother’s eyes will light up. I see her dwell in possibility: Thinking about how a one week old, will become a one year old, will become a high school graduate, will become a success… all in a blink of an eye. They are nervous, but they are ready. They’ve prepared for this. They finished their education, found some financial security, found a partner (if they choose), and decided to have a baby now that they are ready. This is what they’ve waited for.  

But for some moms, I feel their doubt.

Because they weren’t quite ready for this. They were in the middle of their education, (unplanned pregnancy is the #1 reason for mom’s not finishing college), or planning their career, or saving for a home. They were building for the success they dreamt of. For most, this includes dreams of having children. Just not yet. For 35,200 births each year, a mother’s dream is deferred.

Luckily, in my clinic, when I see doubt,  I wrap them in services, support, and reassurance. WE find them subsidized child care (9K per year), and endorse better paid parental leave and family friendly workplaces. The safety net, with an 800,000K per child price tag, has slowly expanded. And Thank goodness! Fortunately I can’t tell you how many of these mom’s, with time, encouragement, and social support, can focus on their child’s future. But there is a better, less expensive, more effective plan in front of us.

Let’s empower parents to have children when they are ready. HB 1468, by safely increasing access to contraception, would enable parents to plan for parenthood instead of drifting into it. The impact will mean decreasing the staggering high rate of unintended pregnancies, which equates to 55,000 pregnancies and 35,200 births each year in our state. Unintended pregnancies of course are linked to higher infant mortality, maternal mortality, as well as more abortions.  But when parents have planned for parenthood, Indiana wins. We win with healthier pregnancies, we win with a lower infant mortality, we win with healthier children, and a brighter future for Indiana.