June, 18 2010, 02:18pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Email: media@reproductivefreedomforall.org
NARAL Pro-Choice America Praises EC Education Act
Pro-choice organization calls Murray-Slaughter bill a great way to help women prevent unintended pregnancies
WASHINGTON
Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, praised Sen.
Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) for
re-introducing legislation aimed at raising the public's understanding
and awareness of emergency contraception (EC).
The bill, the EC Education Act, would fund public-education
campaigns about this medication, letting people know that it is
available, safe, and effective at preventing pregnancy. The bill would
allow states to fund outreach programs to doctors, pharmacists, and
women to increase their awareness about EC.
This legislation comes as some studies show that many women do not
use EC because they underestimate their chances of becoming pregnant.
Improving public education and awareness could help reduce the
estimated three million unintended pregnancies that occur in the U.S.
every year.
"Add this bill to the list of examples of Sen. Murray and Rep.
Slaughter's leadership on women's health issues," Keenan said. "We
support this legislation because improving women's awareness of EC and
how it works could help prevent unintended pregnancy and thus reduce
the need for abortion."
Keenan also said she expected some anti- birth-control groups to
attack the legislation and try to confuse the public about EC by
comparing it to abortion.
"It is unfortunate that some groups will do anything to undermine
women's access to birth control, including EC," Keenan said. "The facts
are clear. EC is a safe, effective way to prevent pregnancy if taken
soon after sex. Emergency contraception does not cause abortion. If
taken correctly, this medication has great potential to help a woman
reduce her chances of becoming pregnant."
In the U.S., emergency contraception is now available over the counter for adults - and by prescription for those under age 17.
For more information on this topic, you may find our fact sheet at www.ProChoiceAmerica.org.
For over 50 years, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America) has fought to protect and advance reproductive freedom at the federal and state levels—including access to abortion care, birth control, pregnancy and post-partum care, and paid family leave—for everybody. Reproductive Freedom for All is powered by its more than 4 million members from every state and congressional district in the country, representing the 8 in 10 Americans who support legal abortion.
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