Political agenda seen behind morning-after pill decision

Political agenda seen behind morning-after pill decision

Excerpted from "Left 'speechless' as Sebelius overrules FDA access to morning-after pill," The Hill, December 7, 2011--In a decision steeped in 2012 politics, President Obama's top health official on Wednesday overruled government scientists to block wider access to the so-called "morning-after pill."

The decision to leave in place a requirement that women younger than 17 get a prescription for the drug was a huge surprise to liberal groups and advocates for the Plan B contraceptive, some of whom said they were left "speechless" by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius's involvement. Wednesday was the deadline for the Food and Drug Administration to make a decision about the drug, and the agency's scientists recommended broader over-the-counter access.

"It is commonly understood that there are significant cognitive and behavioral differences between older adolescent girls and the youngest girls of reproductive age, which I believe are relevant to making this determination as to non-prescription availability of this product for all ages," Sebelius wrote. It is highly unusual for the HHS secretary to publicly overrule the decisions made by FDA reviewers. Even major steps such as pulling drugs completely off the market have almost always come from the agency's career staff.

"We expected this kind of action from the Bush administration, so it's doubly disheartening and unacceptable that this administration chose to follow this path," NARAL Pro-Choice America said in a statement.

Republicans believe Plan B causes abortions, and have pressed hard to restrict access to the drug. If the FDA decision had gone forward, it is possible Obama could have come under criticism from the Republican field of presidential candidates for making abortion more accessible.

CMDA Senior VP Gene Rudd, MD (OB/Gyn): "'Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?' This line is from the radio drama series "The Shadow," popular in the 1930s. While I was not alive to hear the original broadcasts, I vividly recall recording of the voice of Orson Wells as he read this line. According to the drama, "The Shadow knows." Nearly 80 years later, human nature remains unchanged. Evil still lurks in the hearts of men and women, politicians and civil servants.

"You can label me skeptical about all things political. That because the political arena is fertile ground for the greatest of our temptations: money, sex and power. I do not profess to understand specific motives for specific decisions, but I am wary of the potential evil that lurks behind each decision.

"Secretary Sebelius has made a surprising decision; denying OTC Plan B sales to minors. Could there be noble motives? Of course. Siding with CMDA's position, she may be concerned about the lack of safety data for use by minors.

"However, there may be other, less noble reasons. This may be an attempt to avoid flap that could negatively impact upcoming elections. It may be that, despite its promises, Plan B has done nothing to decrease the rates of unplanned pregnancies and abortions. And the decision will likely result in more visits to Planned Parenthood by young women seeking prescriptions.

"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?'"
Resources

Read CMDA CEO Dr. David Stevens' recent Congressional testimony on conscience rights and contraception

View video of hearing (Dr. Stevens' testimony starts around 23:30)

View CMDA member survey results

Read CMA member Glenn Verbrugge, MD, letter to editor on contraceptives mandate