Sec. Sebelius: Broaden Access to Emergency Contraception
Here's a fact: Medical and scientific evidence provides no rationale for age and access restrictions to emergency contraception.
But recently, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius overruled FDA scientists and blocked expanded access to emergency contraception for clearly political reasons.
When your regular method of contraception fails, you need direct access to emergency contraception -- not unnecessary obstacles. After 10 years of stalling and putting politics before science, it's time to bring emergency contraception out from behind the pharmacy counter.
When it comes to women's health, don't you want leadership that listens to science and doesn't cave in to political pressure? Tell Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to put politics aside and broaden access to emergency contraception -- for all women.
Subject: Support women's health with consistent leadership
Dear Secretary Sebelius,
I am joining the Center for Reproductive Rights to ask that you put the politics aside and broaden access to emergency contraception for all women.
When the Obama Administration took office in 2008, the president promised that "science will be shown due respect under my administration," yet under your leadership, HHS stepped in to overrule the FDA's scientific experts who conclude that there are no medical grounds for denying young women access to emergency contraception. After 10 years of stalling and putting politics before science, it is time to bring emergency contraception out from behind the pharmacy counter.
While I applaud the Obama Administration for recognizing that no-copay birth control is a vital preventive health service, that same logic and consideration should apply to emergency contraception.
When a woman fears unintended pregnancy because of faulty contraception or unprotected sex, the last thing she needs are unnecessary obstacles. We ask that HHS respect the FDA's findings and support any immediate action to end restrictions on emergency contraception.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
