Obama ‘Very Comfortable’ With FDA Decision On Plan B

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

IGOR BOBIC 6:16 PM EDT, THURSDAY MAY 2, 2013

President Barack Obama said Thursday that he was "very comfortable" with the the Food and Drug Administration's decision to allow the over-the-counter sale of Plan B, known as the morning-after pill, to females aged 15 and up.

"The rule that's been put forward by the FDA, Secretary Sebelius has reviewed, she's comfortable with it -- I'm comfortable with it," Obama told reporters at a press conference in Mexico, taking questions alongside Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto after a bilateral summit.

"I'm very comfortable with the decision they’ve made right now based on solid, scientific evidence," he added.

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Read more: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-very-comfortable-with-fda-decision-on-plan

[Enrique]

1. what about his daughters

and the bubble gum and the batteries?

WASHINGTON — President Obama, noting that he was the father of two daughters, threw his wholehearted support on Thursday behind a decision by his health and human services secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, not to allow emergency contraceptives to be sold over the counter to young teenagers.

“The reason Kathleen made this decision is that she could not be confident that a 10-year-old or an 11-year-old going to a drugstore should be able — alongside bubble gum or batteries — be able to buy a medication that potentially, if not used properly, could have an adverse effect,” Mr. Obama said to reporters at the White House.

“And I think most parents would probably feel the same way,” the president added.

[marshall]

14. I doubt if Obama's daughters could sneak away long enough to get to a drugstore

I'm sure they are followed everywhere they go.

[kath]

2. The FDA should do as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends and remove all age restrictions.

Plenty of young people are sexually active (consensually or not) prior to age 15.
and how the hell does a 15 yr old prove her age, anyway???

[SunSeeker]

3. So then why is DOJ appealing the decision overturning the 17 age limit?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/05/obama-doj-appeals-judges-ruling-on-morning-after-pill.php

[Gregorian]

4. I posted on this earlier. Evidently it isn't the WH, per se. See the link to part of the discussion.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2788032

[SunSeeker]

5. Thanks. Yes, DOJ's right. The judge should have just overturned it and sent it back. nt

[SleeplessinSoCal]

6. I'm confused. I think 15 and older is wise.

Just as smoking bans, alcohol bans, driver's licenses, and other adult requirements are restricted. It's a good compromise IMHO. If a girl under 15 is seeking contraception or has been raped, an abortion should be legal and safe. Girls under 15 needn't be having sex. If boys try to force them, they should talk to their parents. I guess I think communication is key.

[Occulus]

7. Fine as far as it goes.

Falls apart completely if the criminal is the victim's father.

One could argue that those most in need of this are probably those who are younger than 15.

[Warren Stupidity]

8. I don't think you quite understand the concept, pun intended.

The morning after pill is used because regular contraception was not used. "A girl is seeking" the morning after pill because, whatever age she is, she had sex and does not want to get pregnant, and you and the rest of the Moralists would impose that pregnancy on her, although oddly enough in your case you recommend an abortion instead. Seriously?

[freshwest]

13. This isn't about abortion, though. It's about a pill.

A functional familywould have had communication on matters like birth control, abortion, etc. But those under 15 may just have been made pregnant by a family member, and the family may fight it. In a dysfunctional family, the girl shouldn't be coerced by those working against her best interests.

There was an issue of health and safety brought some time back about parental permission as parents are responsible for health care of a minor. And I think that is a factor.

It would be harsh to demand a person get an abortion, which is an invasive procedure when the pill would suffice, even though technically, IIRC, this pill is not a contraceptive or abortifacient.

That is misinformation put out by the 'pro-life' groups. This pill does not equal an abortion.

[winter is coming]

17. They're likely to have been raped by a relative.

And why wait until an abortion is necessary? In case you haven't been paying attention, abortions are increasingly difficult to get, and Plan B One Step is almost certainly far cheaper than an abortion. Less invasive too, although that much progestin all at once will likely make you feel pretty crappy for a day or two.

[RainDog]

18. Girls shouldn't have to have permission from their rapists

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime a large proportion of rape committed in the United States is perpetrated by a family member:

Research indicates that 46% of children who are raped are victims of family members (Langan and Harlow, 1994). The majority of American rape victims (61%) are raped before the age of 18; furthermore, 29% of all rapes occurred when the victim was less than 11 years old. 11% of rape victims are raped by their fathers or step-fathers, and another 16% are raped by other relatives.

So, a lot of those girls having sex before age 15 are likely girls who were raped, and those rapists are members of their family. They should not have to suffer for political expediency and to placate the pro-rape birthers.

[eggplant]

9. But they can buy aspirin, which when used PROPERLY can be even more dangerous? n/t

[winter is coming]

15. Or Tylenol, which used only slightly improperly, can be far worse. n/t

[eggplant]

19. Yup.

"Oh no, we're not trying to push a misogynist agenda... We're just concerned that someone old enough to actually get pregnant might not be mature enough to... um..."

Honestly, if they aren't mature enough to grasp the implications of taking plan b, they aren't mature enough to be popping out a kid, either. Rrrrr.

[NoodleyAppendage]

10. Translation. I feel that the decision is politically viable.

When, oh when, will this President grow a spine?

[SpartanDem]

11. The fundies wont like it but

this going to have a real positive impact.

[RainDog]

12. Except Sibelius' age limits aren't based upon the scientific recs either

Or the judge's review of the scientific recommendations.

We live in a nation held captive by religious extremists on any issue regarding sex.

[winter is coming]

16. Chris Hayes nailed it: Crazy Vagina Politics. n/t