Make Emergency Contraception Available in New York: Contact Pataki Now
The NYS Senate, led by Republicans, has passed a bill to make emergency contraception (EC) available over the counter.
This is a bill many years in the making, and is now on its way up to Governor Pataki, who the Times reports is noncommittal. Please take a moment to e-mail the Governor.
It is crucial that Pataki signs and passes this legislation. As a reminder, the FDA has yet to approve the pill for over the counter use, overruling two advisory panels of scientists and health experts in May. If Pataki signs this legislation women will have access to EC regardless of the FDA ruling.
This is a national issue; it is an issue that rejects President Bush's ideology-driven science. New York is poised to become one of only six states allowing EC without a prescription.
The bill is a no brainer. EC is best used within 72 hours of unprotected sex, up to 89 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. So if you have unprotected sex during a long holiday weekend, or if you are a victim of sexual abuse, you do not have to wait for a pharmacist to be on duty to prevent a pregnancy from taking place.
Secondly, EC works before pregnancy, so it is not an "abortion pill," as some opponents would like to claim. It is a contraceptive; it works by preventing ovulation or fertilization.
The argument that it "promotes unsafe sex" is inane. Other contraceptives are far more widely available, easier to use, and cheaper. This bill is sound policy that will reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, certainly a goal that both sides of the aisle share.
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Abortion | Government
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abbis, you are 110% correct.
Submitted by dkreiss on 24 June 2005 - 12:45pm.
abbis, you are 110% correct. Thanks for providing more of the backstory. This bill was passed in the Assembly the last three years, and Nick Spano (and other moderate Republicans) moved it forward in part because of the fear of losing more seats.
It was not my intention to attribute a victory to the Senate Republicans, it was only meant as a call to arms to get Pataki to sign it (which is why I also kept it short and sweet.)
That said, from a tactical perspective, I think it also makes sense to highlight the fact that Republican state legislatures, and in some cases Republican governors, are moving or signing these measures in states across the country. It further draws attention to the fact that the Bush Administration and the right are far outside of the mainstream of this country; and their radical faith-based science is shunned by more sensible members of their own party.
Totally in favor of OTC EC. T
Submitted by Yasha on 26 June 2005 - 5:13pm.
Totally in favor of OTC EC. The sooner the better.
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J.Kende
Lower The Vote
Eye Dream Awake
Senate Democrats
I was disappointed to read this blog entry and to see the Emergency Contraception victory attributed solely to the Senate Republicans -- and no mention of the Senate Democrats who did so much to push this issue and to pressure the Republicans into bringing this bill to the floor for a vote. This bill passed for three years in a row in the Assembly. And, for the past three years, Democratic Senator Eric Schneiderman has introduced the same bill in the Senate--only to watch as the Republicans, confidant in their ability to hold on to their majority, refused to address this issue. My how things have changed since the 2004 election. Nick Spano, the sponsor of the bill is the same Nick Spano who almost lost his seat in the last election--and who only narrowly defeated his opponent, Andrea Stewart-Cousins by 18 votes. Certainly pro-choice advocates, who worked tirelessly to get this bill passed, deserve praise for the work they did; but we should also offer praise where praise is due to the Senate Democrats and progressive activists who made the Republicans fearful enough of losing more seats that they capitulated and passed this common sense legislation.
The Republicans did this because advocates AND the Senate Democrats held a gun held to their heads, not because they are such great believers in choice.