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Tell Gov. Nixon to Raise the Standard of Care for Rape Victims!

Tell the Obama Administration Its Decision on Plan B® Is Unacceptable

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Choice Headlines

2/1/2012
Pfizer Recalls Birth Control Pill Packets

1/20/2012
Obama Administration Approves Rule That Guarantees Near-Universal Contraceptive Coverage

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Press Releases

2/1/2012
Statement Regarding Komen Foundation and Planned Parenthood

1/20/2012
Obama Administration Ensures Access to Contraceptive Coverage for Millions of Women

1/19/2012
New Report Shows State-Level Attacks on Choice Skyrocketed in 2011;Analysis Shows 2012 Could Be Even Worse for Women’s Freedom and Privacy

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Federal Government Says States Not Required to Distribute Emergency Contraceptives

Posted: 07/29/2004

Associated Press
July 28, 2004

By BOB JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer

MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Department of Public Health is not required to distribute emergency contraceptives, also called "morning after pills," at its family planning clinics, according to a letter from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson to an Alabama Congressman.

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, had asked Thompson to clarify federal requirements after workers began distributing the pills at state clinics earlier this year.

Dr. Tom Miller, family planning director for the health department, said the clinics will continue to distribute the emergency contraceptives, which consist of a heavy dose of birth control pills taken by a woman within 72 hours after she had intercourse.

Miller said the emergency contraceptives do not cause a woman to abort a growing fetus, like the pill RU-486 does, but instead prevents a fertilized egg from attaching to the lining of the uterus.


"There's not a mandate to do this," Aderholt said. "I don't think it's the best policy to proceed with this, but now they (health department officials) can only say it's their policy to proceed."

Miller said he feels the distribution of the emergency contraceptives is helping low income women in Alabama.

"We've got a lot of folks in the field doing their job and meeting the needs of their patients," Miller said.

Alabama Christian Coalition President John Giles said the public health department should "rescind the mandate to distribute these pills."

"It was clear to us from the outset that the decision to distribute the morning after pills in Alabama was purely an administrative decision."


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