CONSERVATIVE PARTY of NEW YORK STATE

2007 Legislative Memo…

In Opposition to
Emergency Contraception Without a Prescription

A. 5569 - Paulin (On Health Committee Agenda)

Purpose: An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing for dispensing emergency contraception under certain conditions.

Party Position: ‘The unintended pregnancy prevention act” which would amend the education law to allow a licensed pharmacist, certified nurse practitioner or licensed midwife to dispense certain drugs, which when taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse, seeks to prevent a pregnancy.

The Conservative Party of New York State is committed to the sanctity of life. While supporters of this bill believe that using the “morning-after pill” reduces the need for an abortion, we believe that there is no real difference in taking a “morning-after pill” and an abortion. Both seek to end the life of a precious child, and both have consequences.

We have very grave concerns that if this were to pass there is no age requirements…a person as young as 14 or younger could request EC week after week and never be seen by a doctor. What long term harm may come to this child by taking this higher dosage of birth control pills?

The March 2002 Annals of Pharmacotherapy find empirical evidence that the most common types of hormonal emergency contraception do indeed fail to prevent ovulation and “rely instead on an after-fertilization effect, causing abortion of the newly formed embryonic life.” Additionally, the Republic of the Philippines (whose Constitution and laws require respect for human life from the moment of conception) recently banned emergency contraception due to the abortifacient effects.

January 8, 2003, the FDA announced new warnings on labels for hormone replacement therapies and advised women to consult with their doctors about whether to continue treatment due to the increased risk of heart disease and breast cancer. Yet, this bill seeks to have stronger hormone pills readily available without a doctors’ knowledge, advice or limits!

In August, 2006 the FDA approved over-the-counter access for Plan B for women 18 and older. This proposed bill seeks to allow even younger women…children…to have access to Plan B. The Bill language states that minors in NYS have long been legally entitled to full access, without parental consent, to all reproductive health care and services, including EC. According to the Bill, “providing direct access to EC for younger women will also make it more likely that they will receive appropriate and timely professional attention, support and assistance.”

We ask how? By walking into any pharmacy and asking for EC? Where is the professional attention, support and assistance?

To even consider making emergency contraception readily available to those younger than 18 in New York State shows just how far some in government will go to eliminate the rights of parents while encouraging governments “nanny-state” role.

We strongly urge you to vote NO on this bill.

LM 2007-04