FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 24, 2006

Contact: In DC - Brandon MacGillis (202) 225-4431
In CO - Chris Arend (303) 844-4988 
 

 
 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), co-chair of the bi-partisan House Pro Choice Caucus, released the following statement regarding the Food and Drug Administration approval of the “morning after' emergency contraceptive pill without a prescription to those 18 and older.   The pill, called Plan B, is designed to prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of sex.

“For once, the Bush Administration actually listened to scientists and not their extremist base when making a decision.  It’s just a shame it took them so long.

“F.D.A scientists have been telling the Administration that this drug is safe and should be approved since December of 2003, yet the Administration has rejected it time and time again.  I guess they had to wait until Karl Rove went on vacation to finally get it approved.

“The approval of the morning after pill is a victory for a woman’s reproductive health care. The morning after pill is a safe and effective means of birth-control that will cut down on unintended pregnancies.  That is a goal we can all support.”

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