S
stumbler
Guest
By ANNE SAUNDERS
Associated Press Writer
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Women hoping to prevent unwanted pregnancies soon should have access to a “morning after” pill from specially trained pharmacists.
The House on Wednesday approved the measure 195-169, following the lead of the Senate. Unlike last year, this year’s bill has the support of the governor.
Last year, when a similar measure passed in the Legislature, it was vetoed by former Gov. Craig Benson.
The bill allows some pharmacists to provide women with an elevated dose of birth control hormones without a doctor’s prescription. The drug, if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, can cut a woman’s chance of pregnancy by up to 89 percent. Pharmacists involved in the program would receive special training before they could dispense the drug.
An effort by some lawmakers to add an age limit of 18 to the legislation failed 225-141.
Age limit supporters argued pharmacists should not be giving medication to young girls without parental involvement.
“Would you want your 12-, 13-, 14- or 15 year-old daughters getting emergency contraception as easily as they can buy Advil?” asked Salem Rep. David Bettencourt who introduced the age limit. . . .
Full article
Associated Press Writer
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Women hoping to prevent unwanted pregnancies soon should have access to a “morning after” pill from specially trained pharmacists.
The House on Wednesday approved the measure 195-169, following the lead of the Senate. Unlike last year, this year’s bill has the support of the governor.
Last year, when a similar measure passed in the Legislature, it was vetoed by former Gov. Craig Benson.
The bill allows some pharmacists to provide women with an elevated dose of birth control hormones without a doctor’s prescription. The drug, if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, can cut a woman’s chance of pregnancy by up to 89 percent. Pharmacists involved in the program would receive special training before they could dispense the drug.
An effort by some lawmakers to add an age limit of 18 to the legislation failed 225-141.
Age limit supporters argued pharmacists should not be giving medication to young girls without parental involvement.
“Would you want your 12-, 13-, 14- or 15 year-old daughters getting emergency contraception as easily as they can buy Advil?” asked Salem Rep. David Bettencourt who introduced the age limit. . . .
Full article