2008 Woodie Awards
Birth control should remain accessible
Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: Opinions
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Limiting access to legal abortions?
Reducing the amount of accurate reproductive health care information available?
With all the fervor surrounding Tuesday's presidential election, it's easy to forget there's an entire 76 days until the new administration takes office.
That's a whole lot of time for George W. Bush and Michael Leavitt, secretary of health and human services, to inflict even more damage upon us. If Leavitt and co. get their way, a whole new set of health care regulations will be introduced before Inauguration Day. And as young adults, we should all be worried.
Limiting the public's access to contraceptives and safe abortions is asking for trouble.
If birth control isn't available, it's likely the rate of unwanted pregnancies would rise - many of them likely among teens. Consequently, medically unsafe abortions would occur, risking both the lives of the mothers and unborn babies.
It's common knowledge that not every woman taking birth control pills is sexually active. "The pill" has a variety of other uses - for example, controlling acne or regulating one's cycle.
It is, to put it mildly, extremely concerning that the government would withhold necessary medication from those who have a legitimate need for it.
What is the rationale behind restricting contraceptives? Because they encourage people to - God forbid - practice safe sex?
What's next? Are they going to pull Viagra off the market because it encourages people to have sex - safe or otherwise?
The proposed regulations would also prevent women from accessing emergency contraception and even restrict rape victims' access.
Excuse me? After enduring the physical and psychological trauma of a rape, the government wants to take away the drug that could prevent a pregnancy from such a brutal act?
Today, any University female, provided she's 18 or older, can head to the University Health Center and get herself a dose of Plan B over the counter.
Before next year, though, that easy access could be reversed.
What happens when you have a bit too much fun after a night downtown? Better cross your heart and hope for the best come "that time of the month," because those handy pills may not be available come next year.
As a final parting gift, Bush and his pals want, once again, to mix ideology with policy.
Right now, doctors and nurses cannot refuse to perform an abortion. But the proposed regulations would let health care workers decide how to distribute contraceptives.
The idea that, for instance, a Catholic pharmacist could refuse to distribute birth control pills to unmarried women because he disagrees with premarital sex is deplorable.
If an unmarried woman doesn't want to commit to supporting a child, no pharmacist or government should deny her any form of contraception.
Period.
- Shannon Otto is the Managing Editor of The Red & Black.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 12
Jeff
posted 11/05/08 @ 11:32 AM EST
"Consequently, medically unsafe abortions would occur, risking both the lives of the mothers and unborn babies."
Really? As opposed to the legal abortions that don't risk the lives of unborn babies? What is the matter with you? Are you really that ignorant or just trying to be sarcastic? Get a clue. (Continued…)
Jennifer Inglett
posted 11/05/08 @ 11:39 AM EST
Dear Shannon,
"Consequently, medically unsafe abortions would occur risking the lives of the mothers and unborn babies."
I think the whole point of an abortion is to terminate a fetus- I'm not sure how a "medically unsafe" abortion could risk the life of an unborn baby. (Continued…)
Patty
posted 11/05/08 @ 12:04 PM EST
As opposed to Jennifer, I think this is a fantastically-written article. I just think she doesn't agree with the content. People think we're in the clear because the election's over -- but the fight is really just beginning to prevent a monumental(ly bigger) mess that Obama will have to clean up. (Continued…)
Beano
posted 11/05/08 @ 1:42 PM EST
Well, no matter how dumb the article is, I don't see why CONTRACEPTIVE birth control should be restricted for any adults.
Abortion is another issue, but hopefully can be moderately resolved. (Continued…)
Sam
posted 11/05/08 @ 1:47 PM EST
This article is comprised of good points, but the medically unsafe abortions risking the lives of unborn babies comment sank it like the Titanic.
MyView
posted 11/05/08 @ 2:17 PM EST
I hope this doesn't happen. I don't understand why the government seemingly would rather have more people on government assisted programs instead of making birth control available. (Continued…)
Steph
posted 11/05/08 @ 3:59 PM EST
It would be helpful if the author could give us at least the slightest clue what the "proposed regulations" are. Where can we view them? What, exactly, will the regulations do? How close are they to getting introduced into law? How do we know the author isn't just making this all up?
Cass
posted 11/05/08 @ 5:47 PM EST
Wow. That first comment was ignorant.
Restricting access to birth control is as dumb as abstinence-only sex education. Women should have control of their reproductive rights. (Continued…)
AW
posted 11/05/08 @ 5:48 PM EST
It'd be nice if some facts were included in the article. I know it's an editorial, but as it stands the argument has no factual basis.
My Rights = Your Rights
posted 11/05/08 @ 9:51 PM EST
So, just because you want something, someone should be made to go against their morals and be legally forced to give it to you? I'm sorry, but what special certification did you receive that enables you to tell a pharmacist or doctor that what they want in life isn't important compared to what you want?
Women should not be denied access to birth control, and especially not in circumstances such as rape or incest. (Continued…)
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