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 theres sufficient scientific evidence for girls younger than 15," Obama said. "Thats the FDAs decision to make. Thats Secretary Sebeliuss 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.
How old are his own daughters again?
Prediction: Now that the homosexuals have jammed there way into “normal”, lowering the age of consent will be the next new “civil rights” cause.
newheart ~ She'll be eligible on July 4. Wonder if she'll be declaring her independence?
Just a thought, IF Obama was born the day his putative birth certificates say he was, we know how his mom celebrated her 18th birthday...
newheart ~ She'll be eligible on July 4. Wonder if she'll be declaring her independence?
Just a thought, IF Obama was born the day his putative birth certificates say he was, we know how his mom declared her independence on her 18th birthday...
So, they need a permission slip SIGNED by a parent to go on a field trip but can walk into a drugstore and buy the *morning after pill* with no questions asked? These are disgusting, evil people that make these rules.
So Barry’s 15 yo daughter is having sex already ???
Whats the betting an abortion clinic wouldnt spill the beans if one of Barry’s girls was a “client”
The “honor” would be too much to keep under raps...
I’m so sad for this country.
I don’t know how old they are but they listen to that human scumbag Ludacris. What self-respecting father would allow such filth? Sample lyrics (be warned):
[Ludacris]
You gotta run in your pantyhos
Even your daddy knows
that you suckin down chocolate like daddy-o’s
You hos are horrible, horrendous
On taxes ya’ll writin off hos as dependents
I see tha ho risin
it aint surprisin
its just a hoasis
with ugly chicks faces
but hos dont feel so sad and blue
cuz most of us niggaz is hos too
No idea what that would do to a person but it can't be good.
This scumbag would be “comfortable” with school nurses performing abortions on-site.
Right up in his alley, remember he doesn’t want his daughters to be punished with a baby!!!
Apparently so!
And we might as well give up teaching abstinence, self-respect, how to say no and mean it to our young girls. The dark side has taken over.
A better option would be to think about this before having unprotected sex.
Wonder how long before these pills will be available from the school nurse. "No Tylenol or Advil permitted, but morning after pill, no problem."
Agreed. The Prez should keep his mouth shut on this matter. His proclamation serves only to encourage kids to have intercourse. This kill pill will stop pregnancies but it won’t stop STD’s from spreading like wild fire.
Argus is the tread winner...
Children who get zero tolerance for using an inhaler or taking Benadryl at school can get pregnant and then abortifactants without seeing a doctor. Interesting dichotomy.
HEY-HEY,
HO-HO,
Commie Obama
Has got to GO!
HEY-HEY,
HO-HO,
Commie Obama
Has got to GO!
HEY-HEY,
HO-HO,
Commie Obama
Has got to GO!
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