Congressman Crowley Joins NARAL in Calling on Republican Leadership to Put Prevention First to reduce unwanted pregnancies
Congressman Crowley Joins NARAL in Calling on Republican Leadership to Put Prevention First to reduce unwanted pregnancies
Washington, DCToday, Democratic Chief Deputy Whip Joseph Crowley (NY-07) joined NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keenan and other members of Congress at a press conference to build support for four pieces of legislation to reduce unwanted pregnancies and improve women's health.
"The United States has the highest rate of unwanted pregnancies in the industrial world. Instead of debating policies which divide the American people, this Congress should be working on sound public health policy to reduce unwanted pregnancies. Instead of cutting family planning aid and putting additional money into unproven abstinence only education, we should be supporting successful family planning programs and promoting the over the counter sale of emergency contraception to reduce unwanted pregnancies," said Congressman Joseph Crowley.
Congressman Crowley is a co-sponsor of four pieces of legislation; The Real Education About Life Act ("REAL": S.368/H.R.2553), to provide comprehensive sex, Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act ("ALPhA": S.809/H.R.1652) to promote the over-the-counter sale of PlanB for emergency contraception, Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act ("CARE": S.1264/H.R.2928) to insure that all emergency rooms in the United States have emergency contraception available for rape victims, and Equity in Prescription Insurance Contraceptive Coverage Act ("EPICC": S.1214/H.R.4651) to require health insurance plans to cover prescription contraceptive drugs.
Congressman Crowley has been recognized for his work in promoting women's health. As a member of the Committee on International Relations he has been the lead proponent of the United Nations Population Fund to promote family planning in the developing world. As a Member of the House Democratic Leadership, he has been outspoken in support of the over-the-counter sale for women of the emergency contraception drug, Plan B to prevent unwanted pregnancies, when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.
"In New York State, Governor Pataki's mis-directed veto of legislation to allow the sale of emergency contraception is keeping a critical drug away from tens of thousands of women in New York State. Last year's announcement by the Food and Drug Administration that White House politics instead of sound public policy kept emergency contraception from being approved for over-the-counter sale is another attack on the health of women. These four pieces of legislation are designed combine education, prevention and promotion to get the bottom line result that we all wantfewer unintended pregnancies," said Congressman Joseph Crowley.
http://crowley.house.gov/news/record.asp?id=768