| Choice USA applauds CA Gov.'s EC order |
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Choice USA applauds Gov. Davis and Sacramento pharmacists for initial steps to protect women’s reproductive choices Emergency Contraception Remains Out of Reach for Many College Students, Low-Income Women SACRAMENTO -– Choice USA today applauded Gov. Gray Davis’ decision to make safe, reliable emergency contraception more widely available to California women, but called on the Governor, the Legislature and college campuses to fill obvious gaps that leave many women unprotected. “We’re very happy with Gov. Davis’ order requiring California Health Maintenance Organizations to cover emergency contraception,” Choice USA Executive Director Crystal Plati said. “We are equally encouraged on reports that pharmacists are planning to take advantage of a new law that allows them to dispense emergency contraception without a prescription.” However, despite these positive first steps, Plati says emergency contraception is still not an option for many of the women most in need. “While we applaud Gov. Davis’ bold leadership, and are encouraged that pharmacists are finally talking about taking advantage of new laws, Choice USA is still troubled by the substantial gaps that exist in access to emergency contraception. College students and low-income women still face significant barriers to getting this safe, effective treatment.” Disparities in availability exist for many reasons. Low-income women without health insurance may not be able to afford the reported $30 to $70 cost of the treatment from a pharmacy. For women attending college in California, similar challenges exist. Although emergency contraception is available from many college student health centers, most of those centers are closed on the weekends. “A pregnancy can be prevented if emergency contraception is taken within 72 hours of intercourse,” Plati said. “But with this treatment so expensive, and with student health centers closed on the weekends, many women are being needlessly put in the position of having to consider abortion as an alternative to pregnancy. For too many young and low-income California women, these positive steps forward still represent no choice at all.” |
