Pataki veto of morning-after pill (letter in NY Times)

[Eric J in MN]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/07/opinion/l07pill.html

Contraception Pill, Vetoed

Published: August 7, 2005

To the Editor:

Gov. George E. Pataki's reasons for vetoing emergency contraception legislation (front page, Aug. 1) are medically unfounded and simply untrue.

A spokesman for Mr. Pataki said this bill "provides no protection whatsoever" for young women, when in fact the bill would protect young women's health and safety. As a pediatrician, I know that emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent unintended pregnancies and promote young women's health.

I have seen firsthand that a majority of young patients do include their parents in their reproductive health decisions, and there is no evidence to imply that this bill would change that. In six major scientific studies, the evidence shows that adolescents use emergency contraception correctly, and without an increase in risky behavior.

If we focus on the science and not on politics, it is clear that increased access to emergency contraception is in the best interest of New York's women. In deciding to veto this important legislation, Mr. Pataki is endangering young women, not protecting them.

Richard H. Sills, M.D.
Albany, Aug. 1, 2005
The writer is a member of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health.

[Cha]

1. pataki is such a slug..

I always picture him down in Florida.. during the 2000 selection debacle..foaming at the mouth when he was yelling ..STOP COUNTING THE VOTES!

What Opportunistic Putz! I hope he goes down in Flames.

[fasttense]

2. Great letter. What is usually left out of the discussion of emergency

contraceptives is the risks to a woman's health when carrying a baby to full term. Pregnancy is still a risk to a woman's health even at older ages. I can personally attest to the dangers of pregnancy, having almost died from blood loss due to undiagnosed placenta previa. Luckily, I was discovered by my husband and rushed to the hospital before I bled to death. The risks of pregnancy are ignored by the rabid right in their efforts to control women's bodies.