At my 21-week prenatal appointment, my doctor asked if I had read the August edition of Prevention magazine, and urged that I do so, as she is mentioned in one of the articles, though not by name.
My gynecologist is the only one in the Allentown, PA area that is 100% pro-life in support of NFP, and will not prescribe hormonal contraceptives (i.e. the pill). She and other doctors like her, as well as pharmacists like myself who refuse to dispense the pill and other contraceptives, are under major slanderous attack in an article entitled “Access Denied.”
The article, which is quite long and involved, states that access to birth control is a basic right in the world of women’s health and those of us who will not participate in its distribution are denying women the proper standard of care. The quote that burned me the most was from a woman who could not get her “last-minute” pill prescription filled at a CVS - “I don’t think pharmacists should be in a position to make that decision.” Yet any pharmacist who dispensed a teratogenic (i.e. harmful, possibly fatal to an unborn child) medicine to an obviously pregnant woman would face a lawsuit the size of Texas!!!
I’m obviously heated on this issue. In any case, what I’m asking of all of you is first of all to pray! Pray for all those in health care under fire for this issue, and for those beginning health care careers who will face tough decisions about this matter. Secondly, for all those who like to be active and speak out, I’m asking you to, if possible, pick up a copy of Prevention magazine for August 2004, read the article, and flood the editors with letters to the contrary! The good news is this article would not have been written if those who support abortion and birth control were not scared.
Women reading an article like this are bound to be misinformed and/or uninformed about the truths (and lies) concerning birth control. I’m going to do my best to help them find out the facts and defend my profession.
I’d also urge people, particularly women, to write to Grassfire, the SBA List, and Feminists for Life.
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