On April 22, the FDA announced that women as young as 17 can receive the “morning after pill” without a doctor’s prescription.
Though some organizations see this court ruling as an obstacle in their movement’s success, pro-choice movements see this as a big step in decreasing unplanned pregnancies.
Though some organizations see this court ruling as an obstacle in their movement’s success, pro-choice movements see this as a big step in decreasing unplanned pregnancies.
“[We are] very pleased to see that the court made that decision,” Margy Long, Vice President of Public Advocacy & Communications for Planned Parenthood, told the Highlander. “Anything that increases health care for women and helps teens avoid unintended pregnancy is a positive.”
“Parents should be furious at the FDA’s complete disregard for parental rights and the safety of minors,” said Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America in April 23 Washington Times interview.
“Parents should be furious at the FDA’s complete disregard for parental rights and the safety of minors,” said Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America in April 23 Washington Times interview.
In the decision, Korman said that there is no clear reason to deny 17 year olds use of the drug, which is known as Plan B.
“We know that the major reason a woman would choose to have an abortion is because of an unintended pregnancy, not ready to be mother, or because of an economic state,” said Long.
Nancy Northup, the President for the Center of Reproductive Rights, said that her organization feels relieved that the FDA put the health of the public and medical science over politics.
Pro-Life organizations are arguing that making Plan B more accessible to teens will cause the sexual activity rate to increase, but Planned Parenthood thinks otherwise.
“[If] sexually active teens are using condoms and the condom breaks, [Plan B] can help avoid an unintended pregnancy,” said Long. “[It] gives teens another option to prevent pregnancy—[a] positive thing.”
Long added that this will have a positive effect on parents.
“Parents want to know teens are protected,” said Long. “As a mother of a 16 year old, I know that parents will not always know everything teens are doing, but at least they know they have access to another method of avoiding pregnancy.”
Wright makes the strong argument that since Korman is not a doctor, he is not qualified to make a decision.
“A judge’s opinion can’t change the fact that giving women a false impression about a drug’s effectiveness forces the FDA to become snake-oil salesmen,” said Wright.
Korman defended the drug in his written decision. “FDA officials and staff both agreed that 17 years olds can use Plan B safely without a prescription,” Korman wrote.
Seaholm sophomore Samantha Mee believes that Plan B is going to be effective and helpful for American teenagers.
“I don’t think [Plan B] is bad,” said Mee. “You’re not killing a baby, it hasn’t been developed yet.
But Seaholm Student John George* feels that Plan B is morally wrong.
“It’s a horrible thing, it kills [babies],” said *George. “They don’t have a choice [whether they live or not].”
Additional reporting by Annie Stenback.
