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HB 867

County health departments; require nurse practitioner to be present weekly to provide free contraceptive supplies.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dana McLean

HB 867 requires Mississippi county health departments to station nurse practitioners weekly to distribute free contraceptives, but died in committee without advancing.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 867

Legislative bill overview

HB 867 would mandate that county health departments in Mississippi employ or contract with a nurse practitioner to be physically present at least weekly to distribute free contraceptive supplies to residents. The bill specifically requires these contraceptives to be provided at no cost to individuals seeking them.

Why is this important

Access to contraception affects family planning, reproductive autonomy, and public health outcomes. This bill addresses potential barriers to contraceptive access in rural or underserved counties where private healthcare options may be limited. The requirement for weekly in-person availability also has staffing and budgetary implications for already-stretched county health departments.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding and implementation costs: Counties would bear the expense of hiring/contracting nurse practitioners and purchasing contraceptive supplies without clear state funding mechanisms specified in the bill
  • Rural workforce challenges: Mississippi faces nurse practitioner shortages in rural areas; mandating weekly presence may be logistically unfeasible in some counties
  • Scope of contraceptive coverage: The bill doesn't specify which contraceptive methods qualify (pills, IUDs, barrier methods, etc.), leaving ambiguity about the financial commitment
  • Religious and ideological opposition: Some county commissioners or community stakeholders may object to government-funded contraceptive distribution on moral grounds

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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