NYS Senate Denies Women Emergency Contraception
New York State Senate Republicans Fail to Make Safe and Effective Emergency Contraception
Available to New York Women
Politics trumps science in Albany
Yesterday, the New York State Senate Republicans failed to move S.339 -- “The Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act” - out of conference and to the floor for a vote. This critical legislation would have allowed the direct distribution of emergency contraception (EC) by trained pharmacists and registered nurses.
Last night, “Albany legislators placed politics over science and medicine,” said Destiny Lopez, Director of the Emergency Contraception Access Campaign at NARAL Pro-Choice New York. “The widespread use of EC could greatly reduce the estimated 160,000 abortions that occur annually in New York State. Expanding access to EC through pharmacies would provide women with a second chance to prevent pregnancy in cases of contraceptive failure, unprotected sex or sexual assault. It is deplorable that the Senate could not address this important public health issue amidst the Albany gridlock.”
When taken within 120 hours after unprotected sex, contraceptive failure or sexual assault, emergency contraception can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89 percent. The earlier a woman takes EC the more effective it is in reducing the likelihood of unintended pregnancy. An FDA-approved method of back-up birth control, EC should not be confused with RU-486 – it does not interrupt or harm an existing pregnancy and its use could prevent as many as 1.5 million of the 3 million unintended pregnancies that occur each year in the United States.
Over 80 groups throughout New York State support allowing women to obtain emergency contraception directly from local, trained pharmacists. Both the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists believe that EC is safe enough for women to use without a prescription. According to a study conducted by the Office of the State Comptroller, the widespread availability to EC could also save the State over $450 million in health care costs.
“Like the Bush Food and Drug Administration, the Senate Republicans ignored sound scientific evidence, and the advice of leading medical experts, when they failed to let this crucial bill reach the Senate floor for a vote,” said Lopez. “Through their actions, the Senate Republicans are denying women who live in rural areas, who have no health insurance or who do not see a regular health care provider easier access to this safe and effective back-up birth control method.”
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