The Access to Birth Control Act is a necessary and constructive response to the fact that some pharmacies are unwilling to sell contraceptives to their customers. It is also a step to stop states from pushing forward with “Rights of Conscience” bills—bills that allow pharmacists to refuse to serve customers controversial drugs if they conflicts with their own moral/religious values. While these bills may seem to protect freedom of belief, they actually place patients in a dangerous position. And it would establish a slippery slope to the point where a doctor may refuse to perform surgery on a patient who is homosexual. Furthermore, while it may seem simple for a woman denied contraceptives by a particular pharmacist to go to another pharmacy, this is less practical in rural areas—and is especially discriminatory and challenging for women who may have been sexually assaulted and need immediate access to emergency contraceptives. Ultimately, pharmacies have an obligation not to endanger women’s health by withholding basic health care. Beyond preventing pregnancy, birth control treats a range of medical conditions, and women should not have to be at the whims of pharmacists to receive treatment. And while pro-life groups have been vehement in opposing the bill, increasing access to birth control and emergency contraceptives would reduce the ultimate number of unwanted pregnancies—and consequent abortions.
There is already a lack of education among many females about how to protect their health, their lives and their futures. To change the law is more of a deathknell to a woman’s all over physical and mental health. One can not predict what can happen over a period of years to any of these women. I am sixty five, a retired physical therapist,and I always say that no man or woman will ever tell me what to do with my body. And this should be a rallying cry for every woman, no matter her age.Women are unique with certain health problems. Please do not make their situations worse by allowing this law to pass.
Arlene Adelman
Protecting Women's Right to Birth Control--and Basic Health Care by Maya Perelman, Aug 22, 2008 (5:02am)
The Access to Birth Control Act is a necessary and constructive response to the fact that some pharmacies are unwilling to sell contraceptives to their customers. It is also a step to stop states from pushing forward with “Rights of Conscience” bills—bills that allow pharmacists to refuse to serve customers controversial drugs if they conflicts with their own moral/religious values. While these bills may seem to protect freedom of belief, they actually place patients in a dangerous position. And it would establish a slippery slope to the point where a doctor may refuse to perform surgery on a patient who is homosexual. Furthermore, while it may seem simple for a woman denied contraceptives by a particular pharmacist to go to another pharmacy, this is less practical in rural areas—and is especially discriminatory and challenging for women who may have been sexually assaulted and need immediate access to emergency contraceptives. Ultimately, pharmacies have an obligation not to endanger women’s health by withholding basic health care. Beyond preventing pregnancy, birth control treats a range of medical conditions, and women should not have to be at the whims of pharmacists to receive treatment. And while pro-life groups have been vehement in opposing the bill, increasing access to birth control and emergency contraceptives would reduce the ultimate number of unwanted pregnancies—and consequent abortions.
Re: Protecting Women's Right to Birth Control--and Basic Health Care by Arlene Frances P.T., Aug 27, 2008 (11:46pm)
There is already a lack of education among many females about how to protect their health, their lives and their futures. To change the law is more of a deathknell to a woman’s all over physical and mental health. One can not predict what can happen over a period of years to any of these women. I am sixty five, a retired physical therapist,and I always say that no man or woman will ever tell me what to do with my body. And this should be a rallying cry for every woman, no matter her age.Women are unique with certain health problems. Please do not make their situations worse by allowing this law to pass.
Arlene Adelman
Re: Protecting Women's Right to Birth Control--and Basic Health Care by chucker, Oct 5, 2008 (12:53am)
abortion is murder in the eyes of our creator.