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CNN Saturday Morning News
Massachusetts Abortion Rights Advocates Push Morning-After Pill Legislation
Aired June 14, 2003 - 07:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Abortion rights advocates in Massachusetts are pushing legislation that would make it easier to get the so-called morning after contraceptive pill. But as reporter Victoria Block of our Boston affiliate WHDH explains, not everyone supports that move.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VICTORIA BLOCK, WHDH CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The pill in question is known as emergency contraception or the morning after pill.
ELLEN STORY, MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE COSPONSOR OF BILL: It does not cause abortion. It is not RU-486.
BLOCK: What it does is alter the lining of the uterus so an egg can't attach to it. In other words, it prevents pregnancy.
DR. HEATHER SANKEY, PLANNED PARENTHOOD: E.C. can prevent pregnancy up to five days, or 120 hours, after unprotected intercourse.
BLOCK: But Catholics warn the state shouldn't be legislating the standard of health care or promoting what they believe is a violation of their religious freedom.
C.J. DOYLE, CATHOLIC ACTION LEAGUE: We're being forced, we're being coerced to act against our religious consciences.
BLOCK: Others claim not enough is known about the drug and worry what it might do to a woman's health.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My great concern is that it injures the health and perhaps future fertility of women. And for young women and girls to be subjected to this is very, very dangers.
BLOCK: Under the this bill, emergency rooms would be required to make E.C. available to rape victims and pharmacists could distribute the pill without a doctor's prescription. With more than 70,000 unwanted pregnancies a year in Massachusetts, it could dramatically change how they're dealt with.
MELISSA KOGUT, MASSACHUSETTS COALITION FOR CHOICE: Half of all unintended pregnancies end in abortion and emergency -- access to emergency contraception could further reduce the rate of abortion. BLOCK: Supporters say aspirin has more side effects than emergency contraception. But it's the political ramifications of a bill like this that law makers will be looking at, as well.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: You can catch more of the debate about this issue coming up at 10 o'clock tonight at CNN. And we also want to remind you, that was Victoria Block from our affiliate WHDH in Boston.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Pill Legislation>
Aired June 14, 2003 - 07:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Abortion rights advocates in Massachusetts are pushing legislation that would make it easier to get the so-called morning after contraceptive pill. But as reporter Victoria Block of our Boston affiliate WHDH explains, not everyone supports that move.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VICTORIA BLOCK, WHDH CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The pill in question is known as emergency contraception or the morning after pill.
ELLEN STORY, MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE COSPONSOR OF BILL: It does not cause abortion. It is not RU-486.
BLOCK: What it does is alter the lining of the uterus so an egg can't attach to it. In other words, it prevents pregnancy.
DR. HEATHER SANKEY, PLANNED PARENTHOOD: E.C. can prevent pregnancy up to five days, or 120 hours, after unprotected intercourse.
BLOCK: But Catholics warn the state shouldn't be legislating the standard of health care or promoting what they believe is a violation of their religious freedom.
C.J. DOYLE, CATHOLIC ACTION LEAGUE: We're being forced, we're being coerced to act against our religious consciences.
BLOCK: Others claim not enough is known about the drug and worry what it might do to a woman's health.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My great concern is that it injures the health and perhaps future fertility of women. And for young women and girls to be subjected to this is very, very dangers.
BLOCK: Under the this bill, emergency rooms would be required to make E.C. available to rape victims and pharmacists could distribute the pill without a doctor's prescription. With more than 70,000 unwanted pregnancies a year in Massachusetts, it could dramatically change how they're dealt with.
MELISSA KOGUT, MASSACHUSETTS COALITION FOR CHOICE: Half of all unintended pregnancies end in abortion and emergency -- access to emergency contraception could further reduce the rate of abortion. BLOCK: Supporters say aspirin has more side effects than emergency contraception. But it's the political ramifications of a bill like this that law makers will be looking at, as well.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: You can catch more of the debate about this issue coming up at 10 o'clock tonight at CNN. And we also want to remind you, that was Victoria Block from our affiliate WHDH in Boston.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Pill Legislation>
