Obama Defends Kathleen Sebelius Over Controversial Morning-After Pill Decision

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama threw his support behind Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Thursday regarding her controversial decision to prevent the morning-after pill from being made available over the counter.

Still, he emphasized he had nothing to do with it.

"With respect to Plan B, I did not get involved in the process," Obama told reporters during a White House briefing. "This was a decision that was made by Kathleen Sebelius."

Sebelius rattled women's health advocates on Wednesday when, in an unprecedented move, she invoked her authority to veto a plan by the Food and Drug Administration to make Plan B One Step, commonly referred to as the morning-after pill, available over the counter without age restrictions. She reasoned that adolescent girls may not have the behavioral maturity to understand how to use the pill. For now, Plan B remains behind the pharmacy counter and available without a prescription only to women 17 and older.

Obama said that as a father of two daughters, he thinks the government should "apply some common sense" to rules governing over-the-counter medicine. He said he understood Sebelius' concern about letting medication with potentially adverse side effects be available to 10-year-old girls "alongside bubble gum or batteries" at drugs stores.

"I think most parents would probably feel the same way," he said. Asked point blank if he supports Sebelius' decision, Obama said, "I do."

White House spokesman Jay Carney later batted away questions about the White House possibly influencing Sebelius' decision on the matter, for political reasons.

"The implication in your question is that Kathleen Sebelius doesn't support this decision," Carney told a reporter. "I think you ought to ask her because she does, and she made it."

Comments

[Teeninchee]

01:12 AM on 12/11/2011

Hmmm. Sebelius was against making access to the AM after pill unrestricted/make minors get an RX somewhere, and the President supported that decision.

Meaning: Legislation's set to protect those who don't know what they are doing and allow parents or some adult (MAYBE) the opportunity to be involved with a kids decision.

HOWEVER, I wonder how many states have places like Planned Parenthood NY providing it FREE to male or female without restriction (even female teenagers) and while the female is in the clinic she can trade that pill for birth control of her choice?

This is a ridiculous battle on HP. 5200 comments, including several of mine, over WHAT? A pill people have been handing out for free to anyone teenaged and up already??? We are fighting so someone 12 plus 363 days and under can have free access to a morning after sex pill?

People, this is not a battle to fight. If you want the age lowered, call Ms. Sebelius and get the age lowered. People walk into Planned Parenthood at least 6 days a week in my state and get prescriptions for everything else, WHAT IS THE BALLYHOO OVER THIS FOR??

I said it before, I think it's a good call for CHILDREN and with this post I am moving on to something else and apologize for wasting your time and mine. Really.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ppscny/free-emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill-30254.htm

[FearlessFreep]

02:16 AM on 12/10/2011

You know, if the Obama administration had decided this issue the other way, IMHO most liberals would be saying THAT was the right decision.

[Lizzy28]

09:17 AM on 12/10/2011

Why?

[rshrink]

09:33 AM on 12/10/2011

There are good reasons for going either way on this, but on the whole, this was not the best decision to make. Teenage pregnancy is a symptom of many other problems in this country. To illegalize behavior is the lowest form of addressing problems. This hard-nosed approach to dealing with human issues is the conservative approach and it makes for a cold cruel world. If we keep going with conservative approaches to social issues, in particular, we will never make it as a strong nation. We act as if we are dismayed by the lack of democracy in other countries, while we are failing at it in our own.

[rshrink]

12:55 AM on 12/10/2011

Conservative states tend to have higher percentages of teenage pregnancy. Looks like conservatism doesn't really work for most people.

http://womensissues.about.com/od/datingandsex/a/TeenAbortRates.htm

[rshrink]

12:47 AM on 12/10/2011

"This is not to deny the importance of research into the causes and effects of teen pregnancy. Indeed, it is testimony to the increasing strength of epidemiological methods that maternal age can be stripped from its tight association with economic and social risks, yielding the conclusion that teen pregnancy (at least for the 98% of teen pregnancies that occur after age 14 in the US)9 poses little, if any, inherent biological risk in the developed world. Such studies implicate poverty, not maternal age, as the real threat to maternal and infant welfare. It is not just the disadvantaged, but the ‘discouraged among the disadvantaged’ who become teen mothers.10 Poverty causes teen pregnancy. Simply put, girls with prospects do not have babies. "

oxfordjournals.org

Given that poverty is a main cause of teenage pregnancy, it is likely that most of those who might benefit from Plan B, will a) not know about it, or B) wouldn't be able to afford it.

[rshrink]

12:53 AM on 12/10/2011

The above article explains why women get pregnant more when they are least financially able to care for their babies. The reality is that sending all of our jobs out of this country and therefore increasing the feeling of being disenfranchised, having no sense of hope for oneself and ones future, is a leading cause of pregnancies. So, likely, your idea wouldn't work. When people are giving up, rules don't matter much. We need to invest in this country, which means we need to invest in people and stop the most wealthy and powerful from destroying this country. Their greed and lack of social consciousness is the biggest threat to the nation right now.

[synergie]

03:29 PM on 12/11/2011

The situation certainly calls for reason, sadly you've failed to provide any.

Here's why:
1. Pregnancy occurs even with protected sex.
2. The consequences of enforced pregnancy are major psychological trauma, and death, considering the high rate of maternal mortality rate in the U.S. (we rank behind 40 other countries), it can be a death sentence.
3. Induced abortion is not the recreational activity you imagine, and it is done in far too many cases where a woman simply cannot carry a pregnancy.

Outlawing abortion based on some short sighted and ultimately unreasonable belief that it exists only as some recreational or lightly undertaken activity by irresponsible behavior is a flawed action, and it is not based on reason, the facts, or anything approaching even a cursory understanding of the subject.

Some reason would be great, how about proffering some?

[rshrink]

06:08 PM on 12/09/2011

From the Harvard Family Research Project:

"Despite recent encouraging declines, the rates of teen pregnancy and birth in this country remain very troubling. Every year, almost one million teenage girls become pregnant, with four in ten girls experiencing at least one pregnancy before age 20. The teen pregnancy and birth rates in the United States are the highest of any fully industrialized nation. Simply put, too many young people are having babies they are ill-prepared to raise—a burden that limits their ability to participate fully in American life and places their children at greater risk from the beginning. "

[DoggieMom]

06:01 PM on 12/09/2011

How utterly sad that this topic even has to be discussed. I'm NOT saying that when I was a teenager, there wasn't promiscuous teenage sex, but it's become an epidemic without a cure. One would THINK that with all the information available to American teenagers now- information that can be looked up descreetly on the internet, without mom, dad or schools handing out pamphlets - that the statistics would be going in the reverse. It seems the MORE information that's given to them, the worse it has become. Back in the 70's and 80's, seeing a sex-ed movie in school was enough to make us think. Teenagers now don't take it seriously enough and obviously don't care because we give them everything but tough-love. How did we loose our precious children to loose morals and this mindlessnesss?

[rshrink]

06:12 PM on 12/09/2011

Due to conservatives taking over in too many states, sex education amounts to abstinence only. That has clearly proven to fail. It also sets up rebelliousness. I don't think the internet is a good replacement for role models teaching sex ed. Information does help people, but having a sense of community and caring are also important elements. The internet is not compassionate or understanding. It doesn't replace caring communication and a real person to turn to.

[DoggieMom]

06:25 PM on 12/09/2011

To me, this is a non-party issue. I agree that abstinence doesn't work- never has, never will. If you're talking about offering compassion and understanding after the fact, then I don't see how this helps to curb teenage pregnancies.

[Leguntingled]

03:35 PM on 12/28/2011

As a side note, that fab Planned Parenthood is still taking "specific donations" as to what ethnic/race to off. Must make the Left proud.

[DoggieMom]

02:16 PM on 12/09/2011

It's about time Obama makes a sane decision.

[rshrink]

08:50 PM on 12/09/2011

You have a weird understanding of sane.

[synergie]

03:34 PM on 12/11/2011

It certainly is! Caving in to the CONSevratives on every issue against reason, against science, against the experts in the field is as insane as all the other issues he's caved to the CONS. This insanity must stop, and it is about time for him to start making some sane decisions if he'd like to get another term. He won last time by being the male Not-Bush, and he looks to do so now by being the sane Not-[fill in the blank from pool of folks who have no chance of winning as a Republican]. Unless someone who is actually a progressive gets into the race that is.

[Knowitall]

02:02 PM on 12/09/2011

Yesterday I was back and forth on this decision. I consider myself liberal on most issues, but did I think a girl under 16 should be able to buy such a powerful medicine over the counter?

I thought about myself as a very young teenage girl. My own level of maturity at that age, my relationship with my parents, and my attitude toward sex and matters concerning sex.
How would I feel about such a drug being available to my own daughter at such a young age?

THEN, I thought about kids in the neighborhood that I've spotted sneaking smokes near the high school, or the ones I've read about who either were sickened or died sniffing glue or stealing their parents prescription medicines and overdosing. And, the kids in my own life who abused drugs and alcohol way before their bodies and minds were capable of handling it. Very young people are far more likely to binge drink.

Then, minutes ago, here on HP, I viewed the video of 13 year old Rachel Crowe on the X-Factor ,collapsing to the floor WAILING because she was eliminated from the contest, telling her mother, "You promised, mommy!"

This, and the other things, make me think that even though children mature at different rates, MOST are not mature enough. Will teenagers take the pill when it isn't necessary, maybe after each encounter, or take too much?

Those are my fears, and my reasons for agreeing with the decision.

[Eris23]

04:11 PM on 12/09/2011

"Will teenagers take the pill when it isn't necessary, maybe after each encounter, or take too much?"

The data has already shown that they do not. Obama simply ignored it because it's politically convenient for him.

[pane2knowyou]

06:23 PM on 12/09/2011

What data? Could you provide a link please along with the reference to a political convenience and how, if at all, it relates to emotional maturity and pre-pubescent females access to "the morning after pill?"

[synergie]

03:41 PM on 12/11/2011

Does the fact that the physicians who actually understand how this "powerful medicine" works believe that it is not only not as powerful as you fear, but the safer and more logical choice than the rather powerful and dangerous consequences of not being able to use it on time?

It's a single dose pill, that is rather expensive for children to be taking after every encounter. Logistically that won't be happening. Unfortunately, what this means is that like alcohol and cigarettes and other contraband, now you've created a black market for this drug, as anyone over 17 can buy it with no questions asked, and thus they have a desperate market for the drug. You're not going to keep it from anyone, you're just going to make ineffective. If the dose is not taken within 72 hours of the encounter, it won't work. Getting a prescription or telling mom and dad may not be an option for many children. So then, the likelihood of getting pregnant increases, and then you have desperate and scared kids who now have to decide between carrying a pregnancy and having an abortion. All when a simple pill could have prevented all that from happening.

[notebook]

01:51 PM on 12/09/2011

You people are not listening,I said without medical supervision. I know birth control fails,but safety is important. No "child" should be able to get it over the counter without medical supervision!

[Eris23]

04:11 PM on 12/09/2011

Explain to us the dangers for minors that require supervision when this medicine is used.

[GeniusInTheory]

05:20 PM on 12/09/2011

Vomiting and nausea
pregnancy if its taken too late
The drugs own website says a follow visit is required with a doctor

Girls that take this otc w/o telling mommy would also not tell the doctor

[ennis438]

01:50 PM on 12/09/2011

Another cave in to the loony right by Obama. Still, he has not learned his lesson that giving the Republiar enemies of America victory after victory does not mean these criminals will give him anything in return.

[miahurley]

01:47 PM on 12/09/2011

I have a crazy idea. How about not having premarital or promiscuous sex and then not having to worry about an unwanted pregnancy? Just a thought.

[Eris23]

04:14 PM on 12/09/2011

Not all sex is consensual, Dear.

[miahurley]

04:42 PM on 12/09/2011

Indeed, but of course I am talking about consentual.

[miahurley]

12:03 AM on 12/10/2011

I will happily enlighten you. I was not speaking of that aspect of it at all and I made that clear. That of course is whole other matter.

[DoggieMom]

05:36 PM on 12/09/2011

Naw.... that would be too easy.

[jjtm562]

01:41 PM on 12/09/2011

Prescription is a costly nuisance. A note from their mothers ought to suffice.

[GeniusInTheory]

01:56 PM on 12/09/2011

A note? How about Mom go with to buy it

[Teeninchee]

12:45 AM on 12/11/2011

It is FREE at some Planned Parenthood places AND no age restraint, either!

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ppscny/free-emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill-30254.htm

[henery]

01:29 PM on 12/09/2011

Well the 18 year old daughter goes in and gets the pill for the 15 year old. The 21 year old goes in and gets the beer for the 18 year old. What is obama and Sebelius trying to prove?
These people are clueless.

[GeniusInTheory]

01:56 PM on 12/09/2011

So let's just cut the bull and remove all age limits on beer and cigarettes

[henery]

03:07 PM on 12/09/2011

Thats not what I meant. What is the difference if it is kept behind the counter or out in the isle? The 15 year old is still going to get it. Another stupid decision by this incompentemt adminstration.

[Knowitall]

02:38 PM on 12/09/2011

And the 18 year old should be liable if there are any consequences to her giving the drug to a 15 year old, just as there are legal consequences should a 21 year old buy beer for an 18 year old. You can't control everything at the point of sale, but you can control what may be the conseqences of breaking the law.

One of my neighbors hosted a party with beer for underage teenagers, and she just barely escaped going to jail, but paid a heavy fine, when it was reported. Today, with all the focus on drunk driving and underage drinking she might very well have done some jail time.

People test the laws all the time, that's why we have them, doesn't mean we shouldn't have them.

[henery]

03:04 PM on 12/09/2011

All I'm saying is this. This decision is stupid. It is not going to stop a 15 year old from getting this pill. It is against the law to kill people but that don't stop people from killing people. If obama wants to do the right thing, keep it between the DR. and the pregnant girl. Prescriptions. Most over the counter junk should be banned. Look at the trouble tylenol has had over the years. Over the counter meds caurse more harm than they cure.

[FearlessFreep]

03:15 PM on 12/09/2011

And if the 15-year-old needs a week to get up the courage to tell a parent or a doctor that she's just had sex, and it's too late to use this pill so she gets pregnant, who's liable then?

[topmind]

01:01 PM on 12/09/2011

Obaminable did say "I did not get involved in the process". Not unlike saying "It is not my fault" or somehow "It is the Republicans' fault". There we go again: He is not governing and running for office. Besides that, how did a health issue become a political tool? Does this help the economy? Of course not.

[Knowitall]

01:16 PM on 12/09/2011

What??

[NadineColbert]

01:16 PM on 12/09/2011

When you learn to read more than a headline, you might understand what the adults are talking about!

[NadineColbert]

01:17 PM on 12/09/2011

This was for "topmind"

[FearlessFreep]

03:16 PM on 12/09/2011

Topmind made a good point and you have no answer.