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The Michigan government has made free contraception resources available at more than 300 locations across the state in November, with several sites in Dickinson and Iron counties.

The Take Control of Your Birth Control program, announced in October, “expands access to contraception, supporting reproductive health and empowering Michiganders to make informed family planning decisions,” according to a recent news release from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office.

These resources include over-the-counter oral birth control pills, emergency contraception, condoms and family planning educational resources.

Participating locations include community partners, local health departments, MDHHS offices and federally qualified health centers in every county in the state.

In Dickinson County, they are available at:

— Bay College Iron Mountain campus, 2802 N. U.S. 2, Iron Mountain, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

— Dickinson County Department of Health and Human Services, 1401 Carpenter Ave., Suite A, Iron Mountain, open 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

— Dickinson-Iron District Health Department-Dickinson County, 818 Pyle Drive, Kingsford, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Iron County participating locations are:

— Dickinson-Iron District Health Department-Iron County, 1374 Commercial Ave., Crystal Falls, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

— Upper Great Lakes Family Health-Ice Lake, 1500 W. Ice Lake Road, Iron River, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

An interactive map showing participating organizations across the state can be found online at michigan.gov/takecontrol.

The emergency contraception, condoms and over-the-counter oral contraceptives are available regardless of insurance and will continue as long as supplies are available.

“Everyone deserves the freedom to make their own decisions about their reproductive health,” Whitmer said in the news release. “… We are taking action to ensure that all Michiganders have the support they need. Decisions about reproductive health care should be between a woman, her doctor and her trusted community. In Michigan, we must always protect your fundamental right to control your health and your future.”

Said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state’s chief medical executive, “The goal of this program is to ensure individuals, regardless of their circumstances, have access to tools that allow them to make their own decisions about their health and future. We appreciate the overwhelming support we have received from organizations willing to help distribute free contraception resources to individuals. We want to make sure individuals who need and want these tools can easily obtain them. This campaign reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to ensuring equitable access to reproductive health services.”

Along with the free supplies, Take Control of Your Birth Control offers information on how to get additional supplies covered going forward, such as using insurance to get free or low-cost birth control. For those without insurance, the program provides a guide to applying for coverage through Medicaid and the Plan First! program, which offer health care coverage for a variety of family planning services, including birth control, STI testing and treatment.

Launched in 2023, Plan First! is a limited Medicaid benefit that covers family planning services for those who do not qualify for traditional Medicaid. It is available to individuals of any age or gender who meet monthly income requirements and are Michigan residents.

Residents can apply for Plan First! online at Michigan.gov/mibridges; by calling 855-789-5610; or by stopping in at a local MDHHS county office. More information about Plan First can be found at Michigan.gov/planfirst.

Additionally, open enrollment for health insurance began Nov. 1. The Affordable Care Act guarantees coverage of women’s preventive services, including free birth control and contraceptive counseling, by nearly all health insurance plans. Michiganders can shop for a health insurance plan until Jan. 15 by going to the Health Insurance Marketplace or by calling 800-318-2596.

For other family planning resources, including information about low- or no-cost reproductive health services available in Michigan, including under the state’s Medicaid program, go online to https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-child-serv/childrenfamilies/familyhealth/familyplanning.