Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell recently nudged the state toward broader birth control access by winning passage of a bill that allows nurses to dispense oral contraceptives.

Now she hopes the Food and Drug Adminstration will approve over-the-counter sales of birth control pills.

MITCHELL: "It is a safe option, and will empower women around their own family planning needs."

MITCHELL: "There just aren't enough health care professionals. So to be able to go to your local community pharmacy and get what you need over the counter, at will, is very very empowering for women."   

But the California Assembly Republican Leader says women's safety comes first - and she has concerns about expanding access without education about health risks.

The FDA says it's open to meeting about over-the-counter oral contraceptives with a drug maker.