Bush Administration Puts Far Right Ideology Ahead Of Preventing Abortions
By giving in to far-right pressure to reject over-the-counter status for the Plan B emergency contraceptive, the Bush Administration has blocked a move that could prevent a substantial number of abortions. The decision stands in hypocritical opposition to the administration's stated goal of reducing the number of abortions.
The decision by the FDA demonstrates an unprecedented political takeover of what's supposed to be an independent scientific board with an independent review process. In reviewing Plan B, two separate scientific committees--a majority of whom were Bush appointees--voted overwhelmingly to approve over-the-counter sales. To reject such a recomendation in response to political pressure tramples on the rights of American women and their families.
Over-the-counter sales would be particularly beneficial for sexual assault victims.According to scientific studies, approximately 25,000 women per year in the US become pregnant as a result of rape. An estimated 22,000 of these pregnancies--or 88%--could be prevented if sexual assault victims had timely access to emergency contraception.
The notion that expanding EC availability would lead to risky sexual behavior has been widely disproved. A recent study of young women ages 15-20 years old also revealed that providing young women with an advance supply of EC does not increase the likelihood of unprotected sex, nor does it negatively affect the use of condoms or other ongoing forms of contraception.
If you're as outraged as we are at the Administration's rejection of science and utter disregard of women's health, contact us about how you can get involved! Call or email Angie at 314.531.8616 or angie.postal@prochoicemissouri.org
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