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Obama Pulls Sasha-Malia Card To Defend Restrictions On Plan B Emergency Contraceptive
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 9, 2011
Modified Dec 9, 2011
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second from left
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 9, 2011
Modified Dec 9, 2011
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After Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius overruled the FDA's decision to make emergency contraceptive Plan B available to everyone (and lift the requirement for those under 17 to show a prescription) on Wednesday, President Obama had to defend the move. While insisting he didn't make Sebelius block it, he said, "The reason Kathleen made this decision is that she could not be confident that a 10-year-old or an 11-year-old going to a drugstore should be able — alongside bubble gum or batteries — be able to buy a medication that potentially, if not used properly, could have an adverse effect."
Obama also noted, "I will say this, as the father of two daughters. I think it is important for us to make sure that we apply some common sense to various rules when it comes to over-the-counter medicine... I think most parents would probably feel the same way." Obama's daughter Malia is 13 years old while Sasha is 10.
While many women's rights' groups criticized keeping restrictions on Plan B, female Democrats in Congress have been more measured—or silent— in their comments. One anonymous Democrat told the Huffington Post, "I actually think the administration is playing triage. There are a number of choice issues on their plate right now, and they're trying to not lose the forest for the trees. In the macro picture of choice issues, you know, there are greater attacks being waged right now that will have an incredibly profound impact on women if we don't address them properly. If we lose the contraceptive fight, that's devastating."
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daughter card
emergency contraception
father card
Plan B
president obama
women's rights
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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