Making a Movement
Mary's question about a movement for OTC oral contraceptives- or OTC OC- made me do some quick searching. I found this report published in 2001 by the Institute for Women's Policy Research. The Institute did a cost-benefit analysis on this issue and concluded that making The Pill available over the counter would be a net benefit- about a $2 billion net benefit. The study takes into account women who would no longer make yearly OB/GYN in visits, the increased cost to low-income women, etc.
I've become like a dear in the headlights on this issue- I cannot move away from it. It seems to me that if a movement doesn't exist, why not create one? The purpose would be:
1) create greater access to the pill by allowing sales over the counter
2) reduce amount of unwanted pregnancies
3) let the marketplace control success or failure of the venture.
So how does one start a movement? A little time and a little talk. For those who hate politics and therefore tune it out, I'm sorry, we as women and citizens no longer have that luxury. We have to care- or we lose our voice. This issue could be our rallying cry toward progress. Our mother's and grandmother's marches on Washington are history- the new makings of movements start on the Web, over e-mail and through plain, old-fashioned grassroots organizing. And if you don't believe that things in Washington have gotten very political, you need to read this. (it's on point with Plan B being stalled).
What do you do? Are you willing to write letters? Are you willing to call your representatives in Congress? Are you willing to tell your friends? Start by calling your representatives/Senators and asking them where they stand on this issue. Here's a script if you're scared and nervous:
Hi. I'm a constituant and I would like to know where Sen./Rep. Soandso stands on two issues-
1) making The Pill available over the counter without a prescription
2) making Emergency Contraception available over the counter
3) Why?
4) I am a voter and I believe this...
Post your comments/reactions to the phone calls in comments.
I'll keep researching and see what else we can do. If you're a woman, and you care about this, let me know. This is a small potatoes issue that we should be able to flex our collective muscles on.
After all, the race is on... the UK is considering making Viagra available over the counter.
Finally, I'm interested in seeing this.
I've become like a dear in the headlights on this issue- I cannot move away from it. It seems to me that if a movement doesn't exist, why not create one? The purpose would be:
1) create greater access to the pill by allowing sales over the counter
2) reduce amount of unwanted pregnancies
3) let the marketplace control success or failure of the venture.
So how does one start a movement? A little time and a little talk. For those who hate politics and therefore tune it out, I'm sorry, we as women and citizens no longer have that luxury. We have to care- or we lose our voice. This issue could be our rallying cry toward progress. Our mother's and grandmother's marches on Washington are history- the new makings of movements start on the Web, over e-mail and through plain, old-fashioned grassroots organizing. And if you don't believe that things in Washington have gotten very political, you need to read this. (it's on point with Plan B being stalled).
What do you do? Are you willing to write letters? Are you willing to call your representatives in Congress? Are you willing to tell your friends? Start by calling your representatives/Senators and asking them where they stand on this issue. Here's a script if you're scared and nervous:
Hi. I'm a constituant and I would like to know where Sen./Rep. Soandso stands on two issues-
1) making The Pill available over the counter without a prescription
2) making Emergency Contraception available over the counter
3) Why?
4) I am a voter and I believe this...
Post your comments/reactions to the phone calls in comments.
I'll keep researching and see what else we can do. If you're a woman, and you care about this, let me know. This is a small potatoes issue that we should be able to flex our collective muscles on.
After all, the race is on... the UK is considering making Viagra available over the counter.
Finally, I'm interested in seeing this.
posted by Miss Melissa at 12:44 PM
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