President Obama and his administration have sold out women in the United States yet again. Earlier today, in a surprising move Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius overruled the decision of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make Plan B emergency contraception available to women of all ages without a prescription. The Secretary’s action went against all medical and scientific evidence reviewed by the FDA and was in direct contradiction to the promise made by the incoming administration to follow science and sound medical information in making policy decisions. Historically, the Secretary of HHS has never overruled a decision of the FDA—until today’s blatantly political move designed to assuage the fear of a few conservative voices.

Eliminating access to contraception is top on the agenda of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, and it seems from this latest decision that this administration is all too willing to follow the bishops’ lead. In a rare sign of public dissent within the administration, the FDA commissioner, Margaret Hamburg MD, wrote, “I reviewed and thoughtfully considered the data, clinical information, and analysis provided by CDER [the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research], and I agree with the Center that there is adequate and reasonable, well-supported, and science-based evidence that Plan B One-Step is safe and effective and should be approved for nonprescription use for all females of child-bearing potential.” Read more from CFC’s statement on the decision by clicking here.

Now more than ever, we need you to contact the Obama Administration immediately and tell them to stand with women and their families.

We need you to contact the White House today. Tell them that:

• Voters like you are angry and disgusted with the decision by HHS to ignore the FDA’s science-based approval of Plan B for women of all ages.
  
• This decision was deeply disappointing from an administration that promised Americans it would follow science and sound medical information in making policy decisions.
  
• You stand with the women and men who need access to affordable and accessible contraception, including emergency contraception, and not with the bishops and conservatives who want to remove all access to family planning services in the United States, and you wish the president would do the same.

Call: Toll free at (888) 534-5471 or (202) 456-1111

Email: Submit comments online here.

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Thank you for taking action with Catholics for Choice.