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Emergency Contraception Pataki
Tell Governor Pataki To Sign The Emergency Contraception Legislation Into Law!
Anti-Choice Forces Are Calling For A Veto.
Last month, your calls to Senator Bruno helped convince the New York State Legislature to pass a bill giving women access to Emergency Contraception ("EC") over-the-counter!
The bill would allow pharmacists and nurses to dispense emergency contraception to women who need it and don't have a doctor's prescription. EC, or the "morning after pill," is an extremely safe and effective means of reducing the risk of pregnancy by as much as 89% when taken as soon as possible within five days after unprotected sex or contraception failure. Research suggests that prompt access to EC could prevent nearly half of all unintended pregnancies. Currently, women need a prescription to obtain this time sensitive medication, even though it meets all the FDA requirements for over-the-counter status.
Governor Pataki is under tremendous pressure from anti-choice forces to veto this important public health measure. Let him know that you are one of the millions of New Yorkers who want over-the-counter access to EC!
Send a free fax to Governor Pataki.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Sign Emergency Contraception Legislation into Law!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I urge you to sign the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act into law. This legislation would give women access to emergency contraception ("EC") over the counter by enabling pharmacists and nurses to dispense it to women who don't have a doctor's prescription.
The FDA has approved EC as a safe and effective means of preventing pregnancy following unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. EC has been proven highly effective in preventing unintended pregnancy when taken within seventy-two hours after unprotected intercourse; it is most effective when taken within twelve hours.
Timely access is therefore critical. A woman who is unable to visit her healthcare provider, obtain a prescription, and get it filled within the briefest window of opportunity may well face an unwanted pregnancy. Research suggests that prompt access to EC could prevent nearly half of all unintended pregnancies.
The Legislature has passed the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act, recognizing that timely access to emergency contraception is a public health matter of great importance. A veto of this legislation would be catastrophic for thousands of women in New York State.
For all of these reasons, I call on you to give women access to EC over the counter: sign the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act into law.
Sincerely,
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