Calif. Gov Rules On Morning-After Pill

NY Daily ^ | 3/29/02

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Gov. Gray Davis has ordered HMOs to pay for women's morning-after contraceptives, making California the first state in the nation to cover the pills.

"A woman's right to choose must never be held up by red tape," Davis said Wednesday. The Democrat has been trumpeting his support for abortion rights and increased access to contraceptives in his reelection fight against GOP gubernatorial nominee Bill Simon.

Simon's spokesman Bob Taylor wouldn't say whether the Republican, an abortion opponent, supported the increased access to emergency contraceptives. "There are much more important topics," Taylor said.

The morning-after pill can prevent ovulation or fertilization when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

Under Davis' directive, HMOs are required to cover the costs through pharmacists in their networks or, in emergency situations, from pharmacists who do not have a contract with the HMO.

[petkus]

Grey should take his morning after pill!

[sasquatch]

Note to Gray:
Great way to slow sexually transmitted disease!

Note to Bill:
See above.

[mikesmad]

Gray Davis should assist in an abortion while it is being filmed. He should then use this film as a campaign commercial by flooding the airwaves showing exactly what an abortion is. At the end he should pump his bloody hands up in the air several times declaring one more victory for womens rights.

If he is really proud of his abortion position, and he claims to be, then he should put up or shut up.

[realpatriot71]

The morning after pill simply prevents the release of an egg or the implantation of an embryo. Not quite the same as getting one's hands bloody.

[mikesmad]

That wasn't my point, but never mind.

[Dasaji]

The morning after pill simply prevents the release of an egg or the implantation of an embryo. Not quite the same as getting one's hands bloody.

I agree. In fact, I once read a statistic that 40-60% of fetilized eggs fail to implant *anyway* due to progesterone levels not being optimum at the time of fertilization. With statistics that high, use of a morning-after pill is simply a bit of insurance. There's no bloody hands involved.

[areafiftyone]

The morning after pill simply prevents the release of an egg or the implantation of an embryo

I thank you for pointing that out. I believe the same thing happens with birth control pills.

[Sloth]

I agree. In fact, I once read a statistic that 40-60% of fetilized eggs fail to implant *anyway* due to progesterone levels not being optimum at the time of fertilization. With statistics that high, use of a morning-after pill is simply a bit of insurance. There's no bloody hands involved.

Yeah, plus lots of kids die in car accidents, so it's OK to kill 'em for other reasons.

[realpatriot71]

depends on the pill - morning after pille pretty much makes sure

[Redbob]

But didn't California women always have the option of opening their own purses and actually paying for the pill?
Where's the "access" issue?

[Carry_Okie]

Simon's spokesman Bob Taylor wouldn't say whether the Republican, an abortion opponent, supported the increased access to emergency contraceptives. "There are much more important topics," Taylor said.

A pathetic and evasive response. There isn't a fence-sitter out there who won't notice. This is a professional?

Gophack, I told you that this would happen and that this response won't work. Here is an example of what WILL work:

Note to Gray:
Great way to slow sexually transmitted disease!

Note to Bill:
See above.

3 posted on 4/1/02 6:45 AM Pacific by sasquatch
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Discussing the adverse impacts of abortion as a license to immorality and the impact of that behavior upon THE STATE BUDGET AND PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING is not running from the issue and can enlist support from constituencies that Simon needs in order to win. Abortion may not be an objectively central issue, but it clearly will be a central political issue in this campaign. Saying that it isn't important when the entire media machinery will center upon it is stupid and will appear cowardly. Maybe sasquatch should be providing Mr. Russo, et al with some training in how to level a witheringly sarcastic quip.

[flyervet]

You would think that people would embrace anything that would cut down on the number of abortions...

[Dimensio]

The morning after pill simply prevents the release of an egg or the implantation of an embryo. Not quite the same as getting one's hands bloody.

You're forgetting that some people believe that human life begins the instant the sperm cell hits the egg cell.

Personally I prefer to reserve personhood to an entity that has a chance of brain function (ie, neural tissue in the fetus, about 40 days after implantation).

[NormsRevenge]

It's ironic and too bad that GraYouT's MoM din't have this option ...

It would have saved a lot of CaliPhonians a lot of grief that lurks ahead as we re-live da Energy Cri$i$ ..





SEMPER FI
Norm

[Gophack]

Actually, I never said that the campaign should respond in that manner. I suggested that they acknowledge the facts and move on to other, more pressing matters.

I, personally, think that the spokesman should have said something else, but I also know that Bill Simon is totally pro-life and am confident that he would oppose this.

The fact is, most people don't vote on the abortion issue. It is sad and tragic. But we have to get Bill Simon elected so that these things don't happen.

If you've read my posts on this thread, you know how passionate I am about this issue. But I also acknowledge that most people don't think that there is anything wrong with so-called "emergency contraceptives". First, they don't know that EC's can be an abortifacient. Second, if they know they don't think that it's a big deal because it's only a "day or two" after conception. This isn't an issue that we can address right now in the public at large. And while I think sarcasm has its place in the political arena, I don't think that it works here.

So, instead of address EC's as morally wrong, I would suggest -- and I did through an email -- that the issue that Davis mandated should be addressed as a business issue. By mandating that health care providers pay for EC's, you are increasing the cost of health care and every time health care costs increase, more people fall off the insurance rolls.

In addition, you are mandating that Catholic hospitals -- who are non-profit AND opposed to contraceptives -- to provide ECs. As well as pharmacists prescribing medication without the benefit of a doctor or knowledge of a patients medical history. This creates a potentially dangerous situation, and threatens the health of women. This is not the role of government -- it's the decision of each health care provider and insurer. If someone wants the option of EC's, they can find an insurer who covers it.

[Gophack]

I alluded in my last post about other posts on this thread ... I didn't realize this was the second thread on this topic. You can go to:

California Governor on Morning-After Pill

[realpatriot71]

You're forgetting that some people believe that human life begins the instant the sperm cell hits the egg cell.

I didn't forget it. I just don't believe it. I'm with you actually, in that I believe in order to be "human" one must have some sort of real brain function.

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Gov. Gray Davis has ordered HMOs to pay for women's morning-after contraceptives, making California the first state in the nation to cover the pills.

Davis' little friendly fascism. How about give HMOs a "choice" on what they will and will not cover and let the women themselves pay for their own "mistakes?" Don't force me to "contribute" from my paycheck into their twisted scheme. Get Davis' gov'mint out of business decisions.