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Posted on 05/02/2013 4:26:13 PM PDT by markomalley
President Obama on Thursday said he is "very comfortable" with a new rule issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that would allow women ages 15 and older to buy the emergency contraceptive known as Plan B without a prescription.
"The rule that's been put forward by the FDA, [Health] Secretary [Kathleen] Sebelius has reviewed, she's comfortable with it — I'm comfortable with it," Obama said at a press conference in Mexico City.
Obama said he understood that there was "solid scientific evidence" that the contraception was safe for girls of that age.
"I think it's very important that women have control over their healthcare choices and when they are starting a family," Obama said.
The president also defended the Justice Department's decision, announced late Wednesday, to appeal a federal court ruling that made the pill available to girls of all ages without a prescription. Obama maintained that both the appeal and the FDA rule were decisions made without the involvement of the White House.
The president also left open the possibility that the FDA could revisit the Plan B rule and create over-the-counter access for girls under 15.
"My suspicion is that the FDA may now be called upon to make further decisions about whether there’s sufficient scientific evidence for girls younger than 15," Obama said. "That’s the FDA’s decision to make. That’s Secretary Sebelius’s decision to review."
The Justice Department's move angered some women's rights activists, who say the drug should be available over the counter to women of all ages. But the president said the Justice Department's appeal was solely related to legal issues.
"Part of it has to do with the precedent and the way the judge handled that case," Obama said.
Plan B works to prevent pregnancy in the days after unprotected sex by stopping ovulation and inhibiting the movement of sperm. Critics have dubbed it the "morning-after pill."
Many social conservatives oppose the drug because some studies suggest it could inhibit a fertilized egg from implanting to the womb. Abortion-rights opponents consider that outcome equal to abortion.
In 2011, Obama said that he supported a decision by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to limit over-the-counter access to Plan B to girls ages 17 and older.
Obama at the time said he was concerned children would be able to buy the drug "alongside bubble gum or batteries."
As the president made a broader defense of opening access to contraception, he also made reference to a controversy last year about a requirement in the Affordable Care Act that mandated employer healthcare plans offer free birth control.
Some religious institutions, including Catholic hospitals and universities, have argued the requirement violates religious liberty. The White House has said the government has created accommodations for certain religious employers.
"We had a little bit of fuss around what we're doing with the Affordable Care Act ... but I very much think that's the right thing to do," Obama said.
Plan B works to prevent pregnancy in the days after unprotected sex by stopping ovulation and inhibiting the movement of sperm. Critics have dubbed it the "morning-after pill."
Per the Prescribing Information:
Emergency contraceptive pills are not effectiv e if a woman is already pregnant. Plan B One-Step is believed to act as an emergency contraceptive principally by preventing ovulation or fe rtilization (by altering tubal trans port of sperm and/or ova). In addition, it may inhibit implantation (by altering the endometrium).
The media always seem to forget to report that last mechanism.
Zero is disgusting beyond belief!
How old is Obama’s oldest daughter?
Are they providing these to her?
so he’s “very comfortable” with statutory rape?
Won’t all those young women be surprised that the government lied to them if this pill winds up causing endometrial cancer some years from now. There is absolutely no track record at this point to see the long-term effects of this drug. But perhaps young girls and women don’t mind being FDA guinea pigs.
Is this a joke? A fifteen year old girl is a “woman” when it comes to providing her with birth control, but if she’s a 26 year old law student a la Sandra Fluke she’s still a child on her parents’ insurance or some other taxpayer has to pay for it. Have I got that right?
Alice in Wonderland is completely logical compared to this country now.
Of course Obama agrees..after all he is the devil himself
Well his “I’m an involved parent of teenage girls” act is right out the window now, isn’t it?
STD’s are about to go through the roof. Young sex freaks will abandon condoms, thinking they’re okay with just a pill. SURPRISE!!
This will be abused beyond belief. Lawsuits waiting to happen with this drug being put in drinks and such.
What a nightmare. This is an abusers wonder drug.
She can get them herself.
What a turd this guy is. Well, would’t want his and the silverback’s girls to have “the burden” of a baby....
That is the whole point. This drug, free condoms in school, taking girls to abortions: All of these are conspiracy to commit or cover up statutory rape. The state must be in charge of all morals, otherwise the people will complain when their final solution comes.
America, there is no free lunch. We will pay. No, I do not say “God will punish America.” I say, this path leads to the pit. God points the way up, we go down. Whose fault is that?
He actually voted to allow abortionists to kill babies born alive in one of the few times he did note vote present
We are seeing what he it'd for at work in the Gosnell Trial
King Putt is just looking out for our youth like he does for his daughters; “if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby”
I wonder how comfortable he’d be if he found out one of his daughters bought and used them?
Well I guess Obama’s eldest is fair game for reporters after July 4 since Barack thinks she is old enough to make her own decisions.
She'll be eligible on July 4. Wonder if she'll be declaring her independence?
The Communist Takeover Of
America - 45 Declared Goals
#26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, healthy.”
http://rense.com/general32/americ.htm
(Hurry up, commies!)
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