Avoiding Coercive Promotion of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)

The ability to decide if and when to have children is sacred choice and a human right. Government restriction of that choice, especially for oppressed groups, violate our rights. This piece from The Guttmacher Institute critiques those public policies regarding long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) which coercively discourage births by people of color, disabled people, and people with lower incomes. This type of reproductive coercion, unfortunately, is not new in the United States. Drawing extensively on principles of reproductive justice, the article offers frameworks for policymakers and clinicians to expand access to LARCs while ensuring that no coercive or biased tactics are used when offering contraceptive methods.