Congress to consider birth control bill

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/14/prescription.bill/index.html

Reports of pharmacists with particular religious and moral beliefs denying prescriptions for birth control have prompted legislation that would ensure all prescriptions are filled.

House and Senate backers unveiled a bill dubbed the Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act (ALPhA) on Thursday.

<snip>

Yet some want additional legislation to protect pharmacists who believe certain birth control drugs are forms of abortion, Karen Brauer, president of Pharmacists for Life, told the Reuters news agency. The group provides legal advice and support to pharmacists.

Brauer told Reuters she believes doctors will eventually begin ordering women to abort disabled children, or refuse to treat them after birth.

"They'll force women to kill their children ... It will be like China. It's the next logical step," she told Reuters.

[barackmyworld]

1. "logical"

HAHAHAAH...*breathe* HAHAHAHA!

[TaleWgnDg]

21. Indeed . . . that's a stupid response to ALPhA

.

"House and Senate backers unveiled a bill dubbed the Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act (ALPhA) on Thursday.

"(ALPhA) would allow a pharmacist to refuse to fill a prescription only if the prescription can be passed to and filled by a co-worker at the same pharmacy.

"According to NARAL Pro-Choice America, a reproductive rights group, legislators in 10 states are considering bills that would permit pharmacists to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions. (The ALPhA) federal law, if passed, would pre-empt any state law."

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/14/prescription.bill/index.html

If this ALPhA federal law is passed, good. If the ALPhA federal law is not passed and a state enacts a law permiting pharmacists to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions, then there would be an immediate challenge filed in federal court that would, no doubt, go all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. My legal guess would be that the SCOTUS would invalid any such state law u/ the present SCOTUS justices.




.

[FizzFuzz]

36. where can I get this button??

thanks, it kind of says it all, doesn't it?

[TaleWgnDg]

41. Hhmmm, I've had that in my collection of graphics on my . . .

.
Hhmmm, I've had that in my collection of graphics on my . . . hard-drive for so long. Way back when both my wife and I used the same computer. The short of it is is that I don't know where she got it from . . . so I googled: "if you cut off MY" and hit google "images" . . . these urls popped up:

1.) http://www.stickergiant.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=b0580

2.) http://www.evolvefish.com/fish/buttons.html

I know nothing about these websites but there you have it anyway.


____________________________________________________



___________________________________________________________

[XanaDUer]

2. Only a RWer could leap to the

illogical conclusion that filling legal prescriptions automatically leads to forced abortions for disabled fetuses.

I shudder at what this country is becoming.

[Massacure]

3. There wouldn't be Brauers of the world if we killed disabled children.

Cruel thought to ponder. :P

[Erika]

4. Brauer is a typical right wing fanatic

Pharmacists for life? What a joke. She might wish to rephrase it "Theocratic pharmicists".

[jojo54]

5. So what about the people who live in no man's land???

<snip> It would allow a pharmacist to refuse to fill a prescription only if the prescription can be passed to and filled by a co-worker at the same pharmacy.<snip>

Let's say.....hhmmmmm....there's only ONE pharmacist???? Then what? That spells a violation of a person's constitutional rights!

[tammywammy]

30. I think if there's only pharmacist

Then they must fill the prescription. You can only pass it to someone else, IF there's someone to pass it to, otherwise you must fill it.

I heard someone on the radio trying to explain this, if the pharmacy stocks it then someone there must fill said prescription. If the pharmacy doesn't stock it (ever) then they're not held to this standard (they don't have to fill it, because they don't carry it anyways).

[Kerrytravelers]

6. Bawhaaaaaaaaaaaaa?

"They'll force women to kill their children ... It will be like China. It's the next logical step,"

What is she TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!???????????!!!!!!!!!????????????

Logical? The woman said logical. Of course, they also think the next logical steps after gay marriage is marriage to animals and children. So I guess we can't take her logic to be very logical.

I work with special needs children. If I knew my child was disabled, that wouldn't prompt me to abort them. ANd if that is the choice made by me, my husband and our doctor, it is none of her business.

These people only went into pharmacy so they could throw their "morals" into the lives of the rest of us. I guess their morals don't take into account victims of rape, incest and other medical situations that require a woman to make the choice of abortion.

And just another thing while I'm on a rant. Abortion is NOT an easy choice. Most women don't go "hey, how about let's have a little fun today. Let's run on down to our local Planned Parenthood and get an abortion. Whoopeee!"

No. Abortions are painful and uncomfortable. They are emotionally draining and many women carry their decisions with them forever. THe last thing we need to do is further their pain by making them feel like dirty, filthy criminals.

I have not had an abortion. I am only basing my beliefs from those who have. I hope I have not offended anyone here, but I swear this just makes me so damn mad I can't even see straight.

[Erika]

10. Agreed

The Democratic party has been the party to educate women. The GOP party has been the party to mandate their theocratic will on women.

Women are entitled to choice. I trust them with that choice. It is their business.

Let the GOP say they will introduce legislation to ban abortions and they will see the wrath of the American people on them just like they did in the Schiavo case. Private family matters are not the business of the feds.

[XanaDUer]

7. And...

Does it not make sense to avoid a pregnancy with birth control pills than force a pregnancy that might end in a pregnancy?

Dumbfucks.

[CottonBear]

9. Why don't men take birth control pills?

Why don't men ALWAYS use condoms and spermicidal cream and provide dental dams and female condoms for women.

Birth control pills can kill women.\\Not all women can take them. I can't.

Should I sacrifice my sex life and die because birth control pills can cause a major heart attack or stroke or blood clot?

Pregnacy kills women too.

Think about it you who would deny us women the right to control our lives and our bodies.

edit: no offense to the previous poster. I'm ranting.

[Erika]

11. Men need to become adults and take responsibility

for pregnancies. It is NOT their bodies who will suffer from a pregnancy. Why let men off for a free ride while demanding women be placed under laws if she is to become pregnant? When the government can deliver birth, they should have a say, until then they need to stay out of it.

Men have a say, before they choose to have sex.

[TahitiNut]

17. Simple solution: don't have sex with men who don't take responsibility.

:shrug:

[XanaDUer]

12. Pregnancy causes all sorts of bad-ass health problems

I feel it is totally downplayed, or no woman would want to go through it: pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, cholestasis...

I am so sick of these RW "X-tian" creeps who are using the mantra of their "rights" for no other reason than to terrorize women. Any female pharmie who goes along with this must be brain dead.

[sonicx]

8. Anyone who thinks birth control pills are comparible to abortion...

especially forced abortion, is severely brain damaged.

[Erika]

13. Forced abortions?

What are you talking about?

[grannylib]

20. This woman claims that doctors will soon force women to abort potentially

disabled fetuses. She's a fuckin' nut job, just like the rest of the "Christian" fundies.
They are no more Christian than a Moonie. Cultists is all they are, led around by the American Taliban: Robertson, Dobson, Falwell et al.

[WindRavenX]

14. and have no idea what they're talking about

Many of these pharmacists for "life" talk of Orthocyclin and all synthetic estrogen based oral contraception as "chemical abortion", which is just flat out false.They cannot abort implanted zygotes- they only prevent ovulation.

[mondo joe]

19. Don't some BC pills prevent implantation?

Maybe I'm wrong.

[WindRavenX]

22. that's Plan B

It does prevent implantation. But Plan B is not the Pill.

[HockeyMom]

37. Progestin

in the combination (estrogen and progestin) birth control pill thins the uterine lining so that IF (rare) conception occurs the fertilized egg wont be able to implant.

There is also a birth control pill which only has progestin called the mini pill. It too works to prevent conception, but is not as effective as the combination pill and the odds are increased that it will prevent a pregancy by preventing implantation. It is still taken every day just like the other but, basically, it is a lower dosage of the Plan B.

I had an adverse reaction to the estrogen in the combination pill and took the mini pill.

What is the medical definition of pregnancy? Since 80% of fertilized eggs never implant naturally, it is defined as when implantation occurs. So if there is no implantation there is no pregnancy. They are trying to redefine science here.

[DawnneOBTS]

15. And By The Way...

These same pharmacists have NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER filling prescriptions for Viagra, Levitra, etc. What the hell is wrong with this picture? Why doesn't someone just drop the bomb already-this fundie torture is just too much for me anymore.

[Solly Mack]

16. What an idiot

[shanti]

29. agreed!

you can almost hear her shrill voice!

[grannylib]

18. "Logical"???? Like the next logical step after gay marriage is marrying

the cat?

Holy shit, who sucked these peoples' brains out with a straw?
This woman is sharp as a spoon, obviously.

[dweller]

23. the first thing legislation should do concerning this issue

is to strip any pharmacist of licensure that refuses to fill any valid physician directed prescription.

let them join the ranks of the unemployed to ponder their particular religious and moral beliefs and its consequences in real time.

dp

[Erika]

24. Do you remember the "Jesus Freaks"

This is what the Bushie fundies remind me of. They are always one step away from an orgasm in declaring their love of the Lord. Truth be known, they were a bunch of ex acid freaks who had burnt their brains out and was just looking for a new fix, and they found it in the movement of the Jesus freaks. They were truly creepy.

Bush is one of them.

[dweller]

26. i remember i avoided them

like i would any other fanatic.

like i would *moron and his ilk.
dp

[Erika]

28. I had to work with a bunch of the Jesus freaks in mfg

I soon learned not to ask them for the time. Their response was "It's time to worship the Lord". Then they would tell you about how they now see the way because of the way the wax drips on the melted candle. Bush is the closest person I've seen in office that patterns these ?

[antonialee839]

25. How many people here at DU

have the luxury of choosing which part of their job they will do and which part they wont do? My guess is not many. If these nuts refuse to dispense certain legal prescriptions, they shouldn't be allowed to dispense drugs period. They should be shut down.

Isn't this also a form of discrimination against women? I'd love to see one of these fundies hauled into court.

[Erika]

27. Agreed

I can just imagine me telling my boss that I won't perform a business function because I don't believe in it. It could be because of usury laws, tax laws, arms laws, etc forever.

[CTyankee]

31. Why are these fundie pharmacists just now sprouting up?

Oral contraceptives have been around a long time. Why all of a sudden do you have these virulent right wingers talking about their consciences and their rights not to fill birth control prescriptions? What have they been doing all this time? Please, somebody on DU, enlighten me on this (it certainly would make a good investigative report item!).

[area51]

44. Good point.

And as others have brought up in the past, these pharmacists have gone through pharmacy school knowing they'd have to fill bc prescriptions; if it upsets them so much, why didn't they pick another vocation?

[lies and propaganda]

32. What about Viagra? Cialis? Levitra?

are they fine with getting dicks hard?

This is one fuck of a slippery slope. You need to get out of that field if you cant seperate your beliefs from life. Does it ever cross there minds what people do with their big ole bottle of vicodin or the like?

[KayLaw]

33. I think it's projection

From what I can tell, these right-wing pro-life people want to play God. They're all upset that Terri Shiavo's tube was pulled but they're just as mad about the Supremes stopping the executions of children.

They want to decide who lives and who dies and how they die. They couldn't care less about kids who are bombed in Iraq or the kids who die from preventable illnesses or starvation. But God forbid some terminally ill patient decide to end things early.

I can see this type imposing amniocentisis and abortion on some women some day. As long as they and their appointed officials command it. Look at that baby in Texas they just took off the vent. Taking a brain dead woman off a feeding tube drove them to distraction but you hardly heard about that baby whose poor (black) mother pleaded for his life.

They can't bear the thought of a woman taking birth control pills but executing a kid is a good thing.

They don't really believe in God so they crave a big government that plays the part of God, controlling them and others.

[high density]

34. Who are these nutjob pharmacists?

And does anybody know how many of them there are? This is really far out stuff that's getting a lot of mainstream news coverage.

[MountainLaurel]

35. Can't be that far out

I believe about 19 states are considering "conscience clause" legislation that would make it legal for pharmacists to do this.

[tanyev]

46. This was an interesting thread about the wingnut

president of Pharmacists for Life.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3467662

[daleo]

38. Another nut.

What tree do these nuts grow from?

[OneTwentyoNine]

39. So....when does Prohibition make its way back into the Constitution?

I hope this makes the news big time over the next few days,lets see how many Repuke women would even go along with this crazed BS.

Is any of this crap really a surprise?

[icymist]

40. What a riduclous statement!

Brauer told Reuters she believes doctors will eventually begin ordering women to abort disabled children, or refuse to treat them after birth.

"They'll force women to kill their children ... It will be like China. It's the next logical step," she told Reuters.

Only a RWer would want 'pre-emptive' legislation about some imagined time in the future. The next step is that everybody must take their Soma and return to playtime.

[in_cog_ni_to]

42. OMG. I hope condoms are included in that bill.

These people are SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALPhA??????????????????????????? Good GRIEF!!!!!!! I can't take these assholes anymore.

[tsuki]

43. Forcing pharmacies to have two pharmacists on call will be

ruinous to small pharmacies. I wonder how the pharmacists will enjoy being unemployed when everyone starts using mail-order, which the health insurance companies are pushing now. Sounds like there is a second, more important agenda here.

[SillyGoose]

45. Consider this hypothetical scenario.

Let's say a strict vegetarian server in a restaurant refuses to serve hamburgers to the customers. I would bet he or she would be fired immediately and told that if they felt so strongly about it, they shouldn't be working in a restaurant that serves that kind of thing.

This whole thing is way over the top. What about women who need to take BC pills for medical reasons other than BC? Would they refuse to fill those prescriptions, too? These pharmacists should lose their license for refusing to fill a legitimate prescription. Period.

:mad:

[tyedyeto]

48. I recall reading about something to that effect

What about women who need to take BC pills for medical reasons other than BC?

A woman wanted to get her prescription filled for endometryitus (sp?) and a pharmacist refused to fill it. Don't have the link offhand.

[JerseygirlCT]

47. Logical has nothing to do with her thought process. nt

[tyedyeto]

49. Question about pharmacists...

When they become licensed, do they take an oath similar to a physician's hypocratic oath?

'I will hereby agree to fill any prescription given to me that has be prescribed by a legal and practicing physician.'