Michigan’s Take Control of Your Birth Control campaign provided more than 460,000 free contraceptives and resources

14% jump in Medicaid and Plan First! applications

LANSING, Mich – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in partnership with the Office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has concluded its yearlong Take Control of Your Birth Control campaign. This statewide initiative brought free contraception and reproductive health resources to all 83 counties through more than 440 partner sites.

“Everyone, no matter how much money they make, deserves to make their own decisions about their own reproductive health and future,” said Governor Whitmer. “This campaign is a powerful example of what happens when we prioritize people’s health and work together with our communities. By putting essential reproductive care in reach, we’ve empowered thousands of Michiganders to take control of their future and access critical support for themselves and their families. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to reach people where they are and move Michigan forward. I’ll keep fighting like hell to protect Michiganders’ fundamental rights.”

Launched in November 2024, the campaign provided Michigan residents access to essential items including emergency contraception, oral contraceptive pills, condoms and pregnancy tests — without cost or insurance requirements. In total, the campaign distributed 460,000 resources, including:

•          60,000 doses of emergency contraception.
•          60,000 doses of oral contraceptive pills.
•          340,000 condoms.
•          7,300 pregnancy tests.

All available supplies have been distributed to partner sites, and some locations may still have resources, which can be located at Michigan.gov/TakeControl.

Supplies were shipped to a wide range of locations, including community health centers, libraries, salons, LGBTQ+ centers, community organizations coffee shops and more. The campaign focused on accessibility and equity – ensuring Michigan residents could access care and supplies in the places they already trust.

“Access to contraception and reproductive care is a fundamental part of public health,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “This campaign not only put health resources directly into people’s hands — it sparked critical conversations about reproductive health, STI prevention and health coverage. I’m deeply grateful to our partners across the state for helping to make Take Control of Your Birth Control possible.”

Partnering organizations praised the campaign’s simplicity, flexibility and reach in a post-campaign survey. Many noted how valuable it was to offer supplies without requiring ID, insurance or paperwork – removing barriers and reducing stigma.

Respondents noted that emergency contraception and oral contraceptive pills were the most in-demand items and several sites ran out of supplies more quickly than anticipated. One recurring theme from partners and their community members – this campaign met a real and urgent need.

The impact of the campaign will continue, as it also helped raise awareness of the Plan First! Medicaid benefit that provides free family planning services to eligible Michigan residents. Services include birth control, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and annual exams.

In the month the campaign launched, Plan First! and Medicaid applications increased by more than 14%, with 123,896 applications submitted in November 2024 – a jump from 108,454 applications during the same month in 2023, and higher than any of the three preceding months of that year. Many sites surveyed reported that patrons expressed strong interest in applying for health care coverage after receiving supplies and learning about their options.

Visit Michigan.gov/TakeControl for more information.

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