Pataki vs. Birth Control

Dozens of men and women gathered outside of George Pataki's Manhattan office during their lunch-breaks this Friday July 22nd to demand that the New York State governor sign the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act (A-0016, S-03661) this August 14. The Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act would allow women to obtain emergency contraception pills (ECPs) directly from registered nurses and pharmacists licensed by the State of New York without first acquiring a prescription. The buzz in Albany indicates that Pataki is planning to veto the bill. Women currently need to schedule an appointment with a medical doctor or gynecologist immediately after unprotected sex in order to obtain a written prescription for the morning after pill. This procedure is problematic for those who are put at risk on a weekend, and cannot schedule an appointment within the necessary 72 hours, those suffering trauma after being raped, and those who are without health insurance or a regular doctor. <!--break--> Dozens of men and women gathered outside of George Pataki's Manhattan office during their lunch-breaks this Friday July 22nd to demand that the New York State governor sign the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act (A-0016, S-03661) this August 14. The Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act would allow women to obtain emergency contraception pills (ECPs) directly from registered nurses and pharmacists licensed by the State of New
York without first acquiring a prescription. Women currently need to schedule an appointment with a medical doctor or gynecologist immediately after unprotected sex in order to obtain a written prescription for the morning after pill. This procedure is problematic for those who are put at risk on a weekend, and cannot schedule an appointment within the necessary 72 hours, those suffering trauma after being raped, and those who are without health insurance or a regular doctor. However, the buzz in Albany indicates that “all roads lead to a veto”. Manhattan State Assemblyman and sponsor of the bill, Johnathan L. Bing, asked Pataki to “Do what's best for New York”. Studies conducted by State Comptroller Alan Hevesi show that passage of the bill would reduce the number of abortions in New York State by over 50 percent, and would cut health care spending by $452,000 annually-numbers that should appeal even to the socially conservative. Many speakers at the rally, including former NYC National Organization for Women president Marilyn Fitterman, discussed how Pataki's open aspirations for the American presidency have compromised his responsibilities of representing New Yorkers' interests. Although Pataki ran as a “pro-choice” candidate, and the majority of constituents state-wide support emergency contraception, the governor is “Caving in to the Catholic Church and the Christian Right... ...because they see who's in the White House right now, and they think that that's the route that wins,” Fitterman stated. “Contrary to what religious fundamentalists may believe, emergency contraception does not cause an abortion,” New York NOW president Marcia Pappas stated, “..it prevents pregnancy.” She could not believe that, in a state with such a long history of upholding women's rights (New York allowed legal abortions years before Roe v Wade), “it's the year 2005, and we're not even fighting for the choice to have an abortion. We're fighting for the right take birth control in New York State.” Manhattan Borough City Council representative Margarita Lopez gave a particularly inspiring speech. “These men in Washington and Albany would never even think about legislating over mens' health. And yet, womens' bodies have been lorded over for centuries... ...We will not let the governor or the Supreme court act as dictators over our bodies.” A prominent connection was made at the rally between the governor's projected veto and President George W. Bush's nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court. Roberts co-wrote a brief stating that there was nothing in the constitution that supports the pro-choice decision made in Roe v. Wade, and his wife is long-time Vice President of “Feminists for Life”, a decidedly anti-feminist, pro-life women's organization. Many at the rally foresee a long road stretching ahead of them to protect women's rights, both at the state and national levels. Tracy Saba of NYU NOW concluded the rally with an important call to the younger women of America. “The Right wing is counting on us to remain silent on this issue.” When asked what would be done if Pataki vetoed the bill, Fitterman whispered, “If [Pataki] thinks this is a rally, he's got another thing coming.”

<p>Dozens of men and women gathered outside of George Pataki's Manhattan office during their lunch-breaks this Friday July 22nd to demand that the New York State governor sign the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act (A-0016, S-03661) this August 14. The Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act would allow women to obtain emergency contraception pills (ECPs) directly from registered nurses and pharmacists licensed by the State of New York without first acquiring a prescription. The buzz in Albany indicates that Pataki is planning to veto the bill.<br /> Women currently need to schedule an appointment with a medical doctor or gynecologist immediately after unprotected sex in order to obtain a written prescription for the morning after pill. This procedure is problematic for those who are put at risk on a weekend, and cannot schedule an appointment within the necessary 72 hours, those suffering trauma after being raped, and those who are without health insurance or a regular doctor.</p> <!--break--><p>Dozens of men and women gathered outside of George Pataki's Manhattan office during their lunch-breaks this Friday July 22nd to demand that the New York State governor sign the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act (A-0016, S-03661) this August 14. The Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act would allow women to obtain emergency contraception pills (ECPs) directly from registered nurses and pharmacists licensed by the State of New
York without first acquiring a prescription.<br /> Women currently need to schedule an appointment with a medical doctor or gynecologist immediately after unprotected sex in order to obtain a written prescription for the morning after pill. This procedure is problematic for those who are put at risk on a weekend, and cannot schedule an appointment within the necessary 72 hours, those suffering trauma after being raped, and those who are without health insurance or a regular doctor.<br /> However, the buzz in Albany indicates that “all roads lead to a veto”. Manhattan State Assemblyman and sponsor of the bill, Johnathan L. Bing, asked Pataki to “Do what's best for New York”. Studies conducted by State Comptroller Alan Hevesi show that passage of the bill would reduce the number of abortions in New York State by over 50 percent, and would cut health care spending by $452,000 annually-numbers that should appeal even to the socially conservative.<br /> Many speakers at the rally, including former NYC National Organization for Women president Marilyn Fitterman, discussed how Pataki's open aspirations for the American presidency have compromised his responsibilities of representing New Yorkers' interests. Although Pataki ran as a “pro-choice” candidate, and the majority of constituents state-wide support emergency contraception, the governor is “Caving in to the Catholic Church and the Christian Right... ...because they see who's in the White House right now, and they think that that's the route that wins,” Fitterman stated.<br /> “Contrary to what religious fundamentalists may believe, emergency contraception does not cause an abortion,” New York NOW president Marcia Pappas stated, “..it prevents pregnancy.” She could not believe that, in a state with such a long history of upholding women's rights (New York allowed legal abortions years before Roe v Wade), “it's the year 2005, and we're not even fighting for the choice to have an abortion. We're fighting for the right take birth control in New York State.”<br /> Manhattan Borough City Council representative Margarita Lopez gave a particularly inspiring speech. “These men in Washington and Albany would never even think about legislating over mens' health. And yet, womens' bodies have been lorded over for centuries... ...We will not let the governor or the Supreme court act as dictators over our bodies.”<br /> A prominent connection was made at the rally between the governor's projected veto and President George W. Bush's nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court. Roberts co-wrote a brief stating that there was nothing in the constitution that supports the pro-choice decision made in Roe v. Wade, and his wife is long-time Vice President of<br /> “Feminists for Life”, a decidedly anti-feminist, pro-life women's organization.<br /> Many at the rally foresee a long road stretching ahead of them to protect women's rights, both at the state and national levels. Tracy Saba of NYU NOW concluded the rally with an important call to the younger women of America. “The Right wing is counting on us to remain silent on this issue.” When asked what would be done if Pataki vetoed the bill, Fitterman whispered, “If [Pataki] thinks this is a rally, he's got another thing coming.”</p>