Earlier today, a federal judge ruled that levonorgestrel-based “morning-after” pills should be made available over-the-counter and to all women of reproductive age. Up until now, girls younger than 17 needed a prescription to obtain emergency contraceptives, a policy that U.S. District Judge Edward Korman of NY called “arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable.” The ruling is a major victory for reproductive rights groups around the country, who, for years, have been petitioning for the FDA to remove its restrictions on emergency contraceptives.
As Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine president Debra Katzman told The Washington Post:
“Today’s ruling acknowledges clear evidence that emergency contraception is a safe and effective method of backup birth control for all women of reproductive age. Removing the age restriction is a positive step forward.”
You said it, sistah.
Meanwhile, France just announced that all women will have free access to abortion and birth control.
