NARAL PRO-CHOICE NEW YORK PUSHES LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE WOMEN’S HEALTH
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bob Jaffe 212-343-0114 x4,917-969-3545
January 4, 2006
NARAL PRO-CHOICE NEW YORK PUSHES LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE WOMEN’S HEALTH
Strong Support for Better Access to Emergency Contraception For New Yorkers in 2006
NARAL Pro-Choice New York will renew and strengthen efforts to expand access to emergency contraception, also known as the ‘morning-after pill’, and support a measure that would allow women to access emergency contraception (EC) directly from a trained pharmacist, nurse practitioner or midwife.
Kelli Conlin, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice New York, said, “New York’s women have waited far too long for a common ground solution to prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion. Expanded access to the ‘morning-after pill’ will reduce the number of abortions across the state and decrease healthcare costs. 2006 is the year to recognize the public health and financial benefits of improved access to EC and give women in New York a second chance to prevent unintended pregnancy.”
Emergency contraception is a safe and effective method of birth control that prevents pregnancy when taken within 72-hours of unprotected sex, contraceptive failure, or sexual assault. It is estimated that up to half of all unintended pregnancies and abortions can be prevented through greater access to EC.
In 2005, the Assembly and Senate passed the measure which was vetoed by the Governor; Democrats and Republicans came together to support this measure which has received overwhelming support from medical groups, nurses, pharmacists and public health officials. Governor Pataki’s veto, occurring in the early days of his forays into Iowa and New Hampshire, ignored the overwhelming medical evidence showing the health benefits and safety of emergency contraception.
“In light of the Bush Administration’s refusal to improve access to EC and the ensuing congressional investigation that found that the decision to deny access to EC was highly questionable, it is now incumbent upon New York to take action. Last year, the Assembly and Senate got it right. Now, with even more evidence showing the benefits of early access to EC, we will aggressively wage a campaign to make this common sense proposal law,” said Conlin.
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