Groups: Removing Tax On Menstrual Products A Step Toward Accessibility

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Groups working to make menstrual products more accessible hope the state removing the tax on these products after the 2020 CARES Act reclassified them as essential medical services is just a first step Shakti Rambarran with the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health says it’s also important to make sure these conversations are inclusive.

“It should be like toilet paper. We don’t question whether or not a public restroom is going to provide toilet paper. And it really is a public health issue.”

Rambarran adds that the city of Ann Arbor recently implemented a policy that would ensure free menstrual products in all public restrooms. She hopes the state will follow that example, noting there are health risks associated with lack of access to menstrual products.

“This is not an experience or issue that affects just girls or women. Conversations around menstrual products and equity must also including many trans boys and nonbinary youth. Unfortunately we see that they are wrongly erased or under-supported from these conversations.”

Michigan has removed taxes from the products recently.