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For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 4th, 2006Contact: Jordan Isenstadt (c) 516.991.3842 (w) 212.490.9535 (f) 212.490.2151 STATE SENATOR LIZ KRUEGER URGES PASSAGE OF EMERGENCY
CONTRACEPTION LEGISLATION TO PREVENT UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES Albany, NY – State Senator Liz Krueger
(D-Manhattan) backed an effort last week by Senate Democrats to force a
vote on a measure that would have allowed pharmacists and registered nurses
to dispense emergency contraception understanding doctors orders. The motion
was voted down along party lines. “The simple truth is that there are an
estimated 122,000 unintended pregnancies and 82,000 abortions every year in
Senator Krueger indicated that one of the arguments against passage of this bill was to wait for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve emergency contraception for over the counter use. The FDA’s independent advisory committee voted in 2003 to approve emergency contraception for over the counter use. After years of debate, however, the FDA decided in late 2005 to indefinitely postpone making a decision. Recognizing the likelihood of delay, Senate Democrats first introduced the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act in 2002 and fought for its passage. Year after year, Senate Republicans blocked the bill, but surprised many analysts and advocates last year by finally allowing the bill to come to a vote. Emergency contraception legislation passed both houses, only to be vetoed by the Governor. None of the Republican Senators who voted for the bill last year supported the motion to bring it to a vote today. "Between politically motivated inaction by the FDA
and partisan politics, the reproductive rights of women have been slowly
eroding," stated Senator Krueger.
" The Senate Democrats proposal would allow nurses and pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception through non-patient specific orders, authorized by a physician, nurse practitioner or nurse midwife. Women would be given written instructions on using the pills correctly and the importance of receiving follow-up care. The bill further requires that emergency contraception only be dispensed to female patients and only for a single course of treatment, which directly addresses concerns raised in the Governor’s veto message last year. According to Senator Krueger, emergency contraception has been proven to be highly effective in preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 hours. The bill bypasses the difficulty of getting an appointment and obtaining the necessary prescription, factors that may cause some women to miss the window of opportunity.
“The argument that a woman has ample time to see a doctor and get a prescription is simply not true. This bill expedites the process and allows women the opportunity to obtain the medication in a timely manner and prevent an unwanted pregnancy,” said Senator Krueger.
A study of emergency contraception in
If this legislation were to become law,
The State Assembly passed its version of the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act earlier this year, as they have done for several years now. -30- |
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