Access to emergency contraception will prevent unintended pregnancies
March 17, 2008 — Assemblywoman Amy Paulin announced Assembly passage by the New York State Assembly of her legislation allowing emergency contraception ("EC") to be dispensed by pharmacists or registered nurses without a prescription (A5569a). It has now been referred to the Senate.
Amy’s bill to make Plan B emergency contraception available to women without an individual prescription was vetoed by Governor Pataki, but she has continued fighting for it. Amy believes strongly that emergency contraception should be available to all women who need it, including younger women who were barred by the FDA from accessing EC over-the-counter.
"Although the Assembly has always passed this important legislation, I have worked tirelessly to make it law, to no avail," Assemblywoman Paulin said. "Each year we fail to make this law, more women are left without a timely and safe recourse to prevent an unintended pregnancy."
There is a short window of effectiveness with emergency contraception (EC), and the sooner it is taken, the more effective it is. If the first dose is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75-89%. Assemblywoman Paulin said that EC should not be confused with RU-486, or the medical abortion pill. EC prevents conception and will not terminate an established pregnancy like RU-486.
According to the New York State Department of Health, in 2003, 123,048 abortions were induced, 9,400 of which were performed on girls ages 17 and under. Medical experts, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, estimate that emergency contraception will reduce this number by half.
A 2004 study showed that 74-95% of teen pregnancies are unintended. And in 2000, an estimated 840,000 U.S. teenagers ages 15-19 became pregnant, with more than half becoming mothers.
"These statistics are a real eye opener to what women face," said Assemblywoman Paulin. "Immediate access to EC is so important because the critical window of time for its effectiveness will likely have passed by the time a woman can get an appointment with a doctor."
EC use will also reduce the state's medical costs by nearly $262 million, according to the State Comptroller's office.
This page last updated March 21, 2008 19:23 .