President Obama appeals no-age limit on morning after pill

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President Obama’s administration has appealed the FDA and Department of Justice’s decision to lift age limits for the morning after pill, also known as Plan B. Emilie Mateu explains the impact this could have in South Los Angeles.

For Stephen Colbert, this story is just the butt of another joke.

"I work for Viacom and two of the company’s biggest cash cows are “Teen Mom” and “16 and Pregnant.” Plan B could obliterate these treasured franchises," Colbert joked on his late-night comedy show yesterday.

The California State Board of Pharmacy requires people to be 17 years or older to buy the pill. But the issue of age limits for the morning after pill has polarized groups across the country.

In a community like South Los Angeles, the morning after pill could reduce the high teenage pregnancy rates. Dr. Daniel Mishell is a professor at USC who has done extensive research on contraception and the morning after pill.

"It drops the pregnancy rate after a single act of intercourse around the mid-cycle. From 6 percent to 1.5 percent," Dr. Mishell said.

South LA has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the country. According to the LA County Public Health Department’s latest estimates, there are about 59 births for every 1,000 teenage girls. He says that not limiting the age is especially important in our community.

"A lot of the young women, 15 to 17, don’t have driver’s licenses or proof of age. That’s a barrier. All of these barriers should be taken away," Dr. Mishell said.

Elizabeth Gay is a Senior Associate for the Reproductive Health Technologies Project and opposes President Obama’s appeal.

"Emergency contraception is safe. There are barely any side effects, it’s safer than children’s Tylenol," Gay said.

Her organization is a national nonprofit that advises women and advocates for the accessibility to resources like the morning after pill.

Sister Paula Vandegaer is a social worker for International Life Services, which promotes Christian values and counsels pregnant women. Her organization is in favor of Obama’s appeal and opposes the no-age proposal.

"It’s a very bad policy to allow very young teens to be covering up the sex without their parents or anyone knowing about it. And I think women are going to get further hurt in this kind of thing," Vandegaer said.

The Obama Administration’s decision to appeal the ruling was in line with a position he took during his re-election campaign. Despite opposition from a lot of his Democratic base, he says he doesn’t believe that young teens should have unlimited access to emergency contraceptives.