WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Jason Smith introduced new legislation to prevent healthcare providers from participating in federal healthcare programs if they deny the removal of contraceptive devices without the approval of an individual’s conservator or prescribe birth control to the individual without her consent.
The Conservatorships Immoral Relationship with Contraception in the United States (CIRCUS) Act was inspired by the recent revelation that Britney Spears was forced to keep an intrauterine device (IUD) without her consent.
“By sharing her story, Britney Spears has exposed an injustice that should not have happened. No woman should be forced to have an IUD without her consent, said Rep. Jason Smith. “The CIRCUS Act is a targeted solution to help ensure individuals like Ms. Spears are empowered in the decision to be placed or kept on birth control. Congress can and should put a stop to this terrible practice.”
Specifically, this legislation would exclude a provider from federal healthcare programs if they either 1) deny removal of an intrauterine device or other contraceptive device without the approval of an individual’s conservator or 2) knowingly prescribe contraception to an individual subject to a conservatorship without the written consent of such individual.
