The People of New York vs. Governor Pataki's Attack Against Morning After Pill
Governor Pataki vetoed the bill that would have allowed the "morning after
pill" called Plan B to be sold over to counter in pharmacies all over
New York. This pill works to prevent pregnancy within 72 hours
of having unprotected sexual intercourse. Many believe that Pataki's
motives for voting against the bill were deeper than he claimed.
There's an assumption that Pataki will be a candidate for president in
2008 and he is trying to win over the conservative vote early.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will decide on September 1, 2005
to see if the pill is safe enough to be purchased without consulting a
doctor for a prescription first. Hopefully the final decision will
be in favor of the majority of women who are faced with wanted and unwanted
pregnancy in New York and not of Governor Pataki.
Name: Milena Chiang
Age: 24
Residence: Vancouver, Canada
Occupation: Secretary
"Yes, the pill should be sold over the counter because it would prevent a lot of pregnancies and abortions. Year after year younger girls, 13 and 14 years old are having sex and they should have access to the pill also. Sometimes consulting a parent or doctor first can change the opinion of a young girl from not wanting a baby to wanting the baby or being forced to have the baby. The pill will increase the rate of unprotected sex because now even people with out health care can have easy access to the pill. I think Governor Pataki just wants the to control the majority vote but the FDA should vote for it. After all, it is more options for a contraceptive and people need a plan B."
Name: Fabris Wowo
Age: 24
Residence: Queens, N.Y.
Occupation: Student
" I was for the pill being sold over the counter, but now I feel like I don't care. Men should be able to buy the pill also, but not women younger than 24. I'm not sure what was Governor Pataki motive but the FDA should vote for it. The pill will not affect the rate of unprotected sex because people will do it anyway. Please put that pill out!"
Name: Jacqueline Cummings
Age: 23
Residence: Staten Island, N.Y.
Occupation: Fashion Designer
" I believe that the pill will increase the rate of unprotected sex and sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS. The pill is supporting men, it is giving them another reason for not wanting to wear a condom."
Name: Jerry Cuenta
Age: 17
Residence: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Occupation: Student
" Minors shouldn't have access to the pill because they are too young to even be thinking about sex. It should be sold over the counter because things happen some times and in emergency someone might need it. Men should be able to purchase it for their girl because the girl may not always be able to go and get it. Governor Pataki is probably just doing this for the popular vote. This pill eliminates the pregnancy issue and it will increase the rate of unprotected sex."
Name: Katherine Mendoza
Age: 17
Residence: Manhattan
Occupation: Student
" The pill should be sold over the counter just because young adults need access, other than condoms, to forms of protection against pregnancy. This includes 13 and 14 year olds because they are exposed to sex at an early age. They shouldn't have to get a prescription or an adult involved because some girls want to keep their business confidential. If they are old enough to have sex they are old enough to do what they got to do on their own. Men and women should have the same rights and access to the pill. Governor Pataki just wants the majority or the popular vote. It is just like what happened with the gay marriage issue."
The people of New York have spoken and they want the pill. Hopefully the FDA will approve Plan B contraceptive in September and Governor Pataki will wake up and realize it will be more helpful than harmful. After all, why should a woman contemplate terminating a pregnancy possibly during the end of her first trimester when she could have made that decision the morning after.
Jessica Henderson
