NOW - NEW YORK STATE SUPPORT MEMO
A-885 (Englebright) S-1716 (Winner)
- Public University Emergency Contraception Act
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The National Organization for Women – New York State,
Inc. strongly supports the enacting of the Public
University Emergency Contraception Act. If passed, this bill will require
every college and university of the State University of New
York and the City University of New York to provide emergency
contraception (EC) to any student requesting it. The bill
will also ensure the widespread provision of information
about emergency contraception to students and enforce new
programs to raise awareness and disseminate materials regarding
emergency contraception.
Emergency contraception or “the morning-after pill” is an FDA approved
back-up birth control method used to prevent unintended pregnancy when a woman
has unprotected sex, including when birth control fails or in cases of sexual
assault. This pill is simply a higher dosage of regular birth control pills.
If taken within seventy-two hours of a sexual encounter, emergency contraception
decreases the risk of pregnancy by eighty-nine percent (89%). It is not an “abortion
pill,” and will not disrupt a pregnancy or harm a fetus in any way.
Many women attending public universities rely entirely upon
their school health centers for all health care. If passed,
this bill will allow these women to be
able to receive more comprehensive health care. Additionally, because of the
time sensitive nature involved in the efficiency of emergency contraception,
requiring emergency contraception on campus will provide women with the most
time efficient access.
Especially in cases of sexual assault, women need immediate
availability and access to emergency contraception. Roughly
one out of eight women is raped in
college. Increasing access to emergency contraception is amongst the most promising
avenues for reducing resulting unintended pregnancies.
Increased awareness of and access to emergency contraception
would significantly reduce unintended pregnancies and the
need for more complicated procedures, such
as abortions or child birth. According to the New England Journal of Medicine,
EC could prevent as many as 1.7 million of the roughly 3 million unintended pregnancies
each year. A report from the New York State Comptroller’s Office indicated
that increased access to EC could save New York State between $395 and $452 million
annually. On college campuses, these statistics indicate great benefits for young
women through the greater availability of emergency contraception.
Female students of public universities require more sexual
protection than they are presently provided. Providing
emergency contraception and information about
emergency contraception will make campuses across the state safer and more
healthful for women. It is in the best interest of women
for emergency contraception to
be available from the health centers of New York State public universities.
Marcia A. Pappas, President, NOW-NYS, Inc.
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