8mm
Posted on 11/12/2005 5:00:47 PM PST by wagglebee
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Target Corp. is defending its policy on filling prescriptions for emergency contraception after the Planned Parenthood Federation of America accused the retailer of disrespecting customers' reproductive rights.
Target allows pharmacists to choose not to fill requests for emergency contraception, also known as Plan B, if it is against their religious beliefs.
The issue has caused an ongoing debate nationwide between people who oppose abortion because of religious beliefs and those in favor of abortion rights.
Emergency contraception primarily delays ovulation long enough for sperm to die without fertilizing an egg. Those who oppose the drug say it could cause an abortion, but medical experts disagree.
Though other retailers have similar policies, Planned Parenthood officials say Target's policy is especially burdensome to customers. If one pharmacist refuses to dispense the drugs, the customer could have to travel to another store to get it.
It's an unnecessary inconvenience and embarrassment to the customer, said Jackie Payne, assistant director of government relations for the Planned Parenthood Federation in Washington. The timing is crucial for emergency contraception and could be a problem especially for women in rural areas, Payne said.
"Basically, they don't want to absorb the burden," she said of Target. "They would rather pass that on to the customer."
But Target defends its policy, pointing out that if the pharmacist refuses to dispense the drug, he or she must pass it on to another pharmacist at the same location. If none is available, the pharmacist must call another Target and make sure the drug is available for the customer.
"We are committed to getting these prescriptions filled," said Lena Michaud, spokeswoman for Target Stores. "But we also have to respect associates with strongly held religious beliefs."
In a company statement, Target officials added that their policy follows recommendations made by the American Pharmacists Association. It's a rare event that a pharmacist's beliefs conflict with a request for emergency contraception, officials said.
"Under no circumstances can the pharmacist prevent the prescription from being filled, make discourteous or judgmental remarks, or discuss his or her religious beliefs with the guest," Target's statement said.
Planned Parenthood officials say if Target allows pharmacists to refuse to fill a prescription, they should think about adopting other ways to satisfy the customer. For example, other retailers have the emergency contraception delivered if pharmacists at the store refuse to fill it.
"All I want (Target) to do is to offer a minimum standard that the customer gets what she needs," Payne said. "And they won't do that."
On Thursday, Planned Parenthood organized a protest in front of the Target on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Participants held signs and chanted, "In store without delay, Target fill my pills today."
And so Target MUST be compelled to assist in the wanton murder of unborn humans because of...this? What percentage of raped woman do you suppose do NOT report the rape and do NOT go to a hospital? 1%? 5%?* So, how many human lives must be snuffed out before they've even begun in order to protect this sliver of the population?
*Yes, feel free to include the rapes that PP covers up on a daily basis. You know, the rapes that occur when a 14 year-old girl gets impregnated by a 20 year-old "boyfriend".
“So, how many human lives must be snuffed out before they’ve even begun in order to protect this sliver of the population?”
that’s ASSUMING that the rape immediately causes impregnation.
You are aware of what happens when one ASSUMES aren’t you?
Obviously you aren’t real aware of a rape victim’s trauma are you?
Most of my friends actually. 6, 8, 10 and more kids is the norm in my parish.
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic Ping List:
Please ping me to all note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.
SouthernFreebird says (denigrating Catholicism by implication):Sorry 'bird, it is you who needs to learn about the Truth Christ taught and the Love He has for all. He founded the Church and He taught the Truth. Part of that truth is that "the wages of Sin are Death". Abortion is the killing of a child and He said, about those who harmed the children: "...it were better for him that he had never been born, or that a millstone were hanged about his neck and he cast into the sea."You should learn about Jesus, ...
The Church teaches the Truth, all of it, as He handed it down to Her through the Apostles and the Holy Spirit. May He open your eyes and heart to His Truth and Grace this Holy season of Advent.
Well said.
And so Target MUST be compelled to assist in the wanton murder of unborn humans because of...this? What percentage of raped woman do you suppose do NOT report the rape and do NOT go to a hospital? 1%? 5%? So, how many human lives must be snuffed out before they've even begun in order to protect this sliver of the population?
I will answer your question, however (the one about "assuming" is a non-sequitur, and an obvious attempt to avoid answering my questions). I have never been raped, if that's what your spurious question is asking. That, and the fact that I'm male, precludes me from knowing pregnancy with any first-hand experience. I do have female friends who have been raped, and it was an incredibly traumiting experience for them. One of them DID become pregnant as a result of the rape, and chose to have and raise the baby. That child is now a successful college student and a beautiful, well adjusted young lady besides (and Mom is doing just fine, as well).
“C’mon, how many Catholic families do you know with more than three kids?”
pregnant with #8 here.
What I was just pointing out is that the old school "blue collar Catholic" families simply can't afford to support large families anymore. Lower Middle Class folks of ANY religious/racial stripe can't do more than 1-2 kids in places like NY or NJ.
This article is over two years old (the troll found it somehow) and the policy may have changed, but this story says that Target allows pharmacists NOT TO dispense the pills if it violates their beliefs.
Thank you for your kind words! :-)
I believe Target has some ties to funding abortions. But, then that takes me back to what I was told two years ago. Mark Dayton is a democrat who did serve in congress or may still be there.
If you want RU486, you can get it quite easily from your doctor, or just go to Walgreens.
“C’mon, how many Catholic families do you know with more than three kids?”
We just had our fourth and would welcome more! :o)
Congrats. I will agree that those devout Catholics WHO CAN AFFORD IT do have more kids. Among the lower middle classes, this is impossible, unless they go on foodstamps. Having alot of children is a GREAT thing, as long as you can afford it. :-)
You know,, this whole thing is so disgusting! Target is not a freakin government office! Go walk your fat rear end to some other reprobate pharmacist and get your stinking baby killing drug some where else! “Other ways to satisfy the customer?” Oh really?? Don’t they sell coat hangers and vacuum cleaners at Target stores?? You don’t need a script for those! The blood that drips from the hands of Planned Parenthood and the cries from the dead under their feet have got to equal anything Hitler ever accomplished!
“Among the lower middle classes, this is impossible...”
Not in my parish. Prudence and God’s Grace do wonders.
Who is Prudence?
Exceptions to the rule, but, again, good for them. :-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.