Media Center: Press Release

Physicians Call on NY Senate to Protect Women’s Health by Allowing Access to Emergency Contraception
06/15/2005

“As a doctor, I know that emergency contraception is safe and effective, and I also know there are serious consequences when women are denied access to contraception."

Albany, NY—In a statement released today, Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health called on the New York State Senate to pass legislation that would make emergency contraception (commonly known as the morning-after pill) available without a prescription. Following is the statement, from Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health member Katharine O’Connell, a doctor in New York:

"Emergency contraception is safe and effective. The sooner women take emergency contraception, the more effective it is—which is why this legislation is so important. Right now, emergency contraception is often out of the question for women who live in rural areas, can’t afford to visit a doctor, or have to wait to get a doctor’s appointment. If this bill passes, women will be able to get emergency contraception directly from their pharmacist, without a prescription, which will prevent unintended pregnancies throughout New York.

"Doctors know how important this legislation is, since it removes the obstacles and delays that limit women’s contraceptive options. I’ve seen first-hand how critical it is for women to have direct access to emergency contraception. This past Christmas Eve, I got a frantic call from a patient who needed emergency contraception right away. She and her husband were about to board a plane to visit family members for the holidays, and the condom broke when they were having sex the previous night. Between her holiday travel plans and my own, plus the reality that she only had a short window for emergency contraception to work, I barely got her a prescription in time. She was terrified, and she shouldn’t have been forced through such an ordeal in order to act responsibly. This legislation would have let her go to a pharmacy for contraception right away.

"As a doctor, I know that emergency contraception is safe and effective, and I also know there are serious consequences when women are denied access to contraception. The New York Senate should pass this bill immediately to protect women’s health and prevent unintended pregnancy."

The bill is S.3661, the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act.

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