Spitzer Says He'd Sign the Morning-After Bill

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Democratic candidate for governor Eliot Spitzer on Monday promised to sign a bill that would allow pharmacists to dispense ``morning after'' conception-preventing pills to women and girls without prescriptions. ``New York needs open access to emergency contraception,'' Spitzer told Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York after it endorsed the two-term attorney general. ``Better access could cut abortions in half,'' he said of the emergency contraception. ``If elected governor, I would sign it into law.''

In August, Republican Gov. George Pataki vetoed the bill approved by the Republican-led Senate and Democrat-led Assembly. Pataki, who supports abortion rights, had said he wanted minors to see a physician first. He also said he wanted to limit the number of pills dispensed and to prohibit men from getting the pills to encourage unprotected sex. Critics of Pataki's veto claimed he was playing to conservative national GOP leaders and to voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, key primary states for his possible 2008 presidential campaign.

Advocates of the bill say emergency contraception blocks conception and avoids abortions, while critics say it is a form of abortion. The bill would allow women to avoid a wait for a doctor's appointment to get the medication, which must be used within 72 hours of sex. Republican candidate for governor John Faso said he would have vetoed the bill. ``I thought the bill was too broad and needed protection against use by minors,'' said Republican candidate John Faso. ``I favor some type of parental notification.'' He said he is also concerned about the health effects of repeated use of the pills.

The political group allied with Planned Parenthood clinics said they made their first endorsement for governor in 15 years because Spitzer was unequivocal on the sort of divisive reproductive issues that can contort politicians. ``He has a clear and consistent stand that reproductive rights must be maintained through legal protections and legislative advocacy,'' said JoAnn Smith of Planning Parenthood Advocates. ``We know where he stands.'' Earlier this month, Spitzer promised to ``do everything in my power'' to preserve women's access to abortion in accepting the endorsement of NARAL Pro-Choice New York.

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