A Troubling Decision for Girls’ Health

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 26: U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the Planned Parenthood Gala at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on April 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. Obama defended the organization and told delegates that he would block efforts to cut off funding. (Credit: Getty Images) 

After a court ruled to allow girls to buy the Morning-After Pill over-the-counter without any age restrictions, the Obama administration has decided to bow to political pressure from the far left instead of standing up for parents and families. Previously, the administration said they planned to appeal the court’s ruling that “Plan B” should be made available to girls without a prescription, without parental permission or doctor consultation, and without age requirements. They have now dropped the appeal.

You have to be 18 to buy Sudafed, arguably a much safer drug. A girl has to visit the school nurse just to get Advil or aspirin. If you have a sinus infection, you have to get a prescription just for antibiotics.  Isn’t there a dangerous and troubling double standard here? As a result, a pill that contains a high dose of hormones will be as easy for a young girl to buy as a pack of gum.

The government has created a disincentive for young girls to keep their parents and doctors informed about their healthcare and to receive counseling on making smart decisions and on what is—and is not—safe behavior.

The president has said he is “comfortable” with this new standard. But as a mom and a grandmother, I’m not comfortable; I’m worried. The risks seem too great. So I ask other mothers, aunts, mentors—all women—are you comfortable allowing children (they’re not adults yet) to take unlimited doses of this drug when they’re not even old enough to buy run-of-the-mill medicines and health products?

I hope the administration is not making this decision just to placate the president’s liberal base, which is angry about the recent NSA disclosures. But then again, if that were the reason, it would make more sense than claiming it’s in the best interest of our daughters.