Politics Aside
I try to keep this blog as politics-free as possible. But every once in a while, something happens politically that I have to post about. I have two related items today. The first is an article in The Nation (via Wonkette) about Dr. Hager, the Bush administration appointee to the Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs in the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Hager has drawn some flack for a suggestion in his book, "Stress and the Woman's Body," that women rely on the grace of God when they are having PMS. Christian or not, every man in his right mind knows that this is an utterance that automatically results in a swift but purposeful kick to that sensitive area between his thighs. More serious, though, are new accusations by Dr. Hager's former wife, Linda Carruth Davis (co-author of the book). She claims that he sexually and emotionally abused her during their marriage, which sounds far from the family-values ideal. It's a worthwhile read for anyone interested in women's rights.
The other less surprising, but equally disturbing, bit of news I have today is the result of sending emails to five major pharmacies asking that they not allow their pharmacists to deny birth control or the morning after pill based on personal conviction (via Naral's website). The pharmacies were CVS Pharmacies, Eckerd Pharmacies, RiteAid Pharmacies, Wal-Mart Pharmacies and Walgreens Pharmacies. Only Wal-Mart responded and you can read the company's stance below.
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Dear Valued Customer,
Thank you for contacting us at Walmart.com regarding women?s
prescriptions for birth control. Your comments and concerns are very
important to us as we strive to meet your needs.
Wal-Mart does not carry emergency contraceptives. Our pharmacists may
decline to fill a prescription based on personal convictions. However,
they must find another pharmacist, either at Wal-Mart or another
pharmacy, who can assist you by filling your prescription.
Again, we thank you for your comments regarding this issue.
Sincerely,
Customer Service at Walmart.com
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Original Message Follows:
Wal-Mart Pharmacies
Dear Wal-Mart Pharmacies,
All over the country I have noticed a disturbing trend of
pharmacies refusing to fill women's prescriptions for birth
control. When a woman and her doctor decide that a prescription
for contraception is in the woman's best interest, a third party
has no right to override that decision. Pharmacies must ensure
that patients get their doctor-prescribed medication without
delay or inconvenience. I ask that your company assure me and
your other customers that no woman seeking prescription
contraception will be turned away by your company's pharmacies.
No doubt a majority of your customers take for granted that
women should be able to receive their birth control despite the
personal beliefs of the individual pharmacist. Timely access to
contraception is central to women's health, autonomy, and
equality. We must trust women and their doctors to make their
own reproductive health decisions.
I thank you, in advance, for protecting your customer's health
by ensuring your pharmacy will guarantee women have unhindered
access to their prescribed medications.
Thank you for your attention and support.
3 Comments
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piety, how far we've fallen, eh?
Randi Rhodes on Air America was talking about Dr. Hager yesterday. This is one vile man.
I have no idea what, if anything, transpired between Dr. Hager and his ex, but it's worth noting that angry spouses (men and women) often make shocking accusations in the course of a divorce that turn out to have more to do with their anger than with the facts.
I'm just sayin' ....