2009-S2904 on Dec 17, 2009

CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY:
• Emergency contraception in drug form shall be included on the basic core formulary of the uniform formulary. Emergency contraception in other than drug form may also be included on the basic core formulary.
• [This bill does not] require emergency contraception to be covered under the pharmacy benefits program.
• Prior authorization shall not be required for emergency contraception.
• The term 'emergency contraception' means a drug, drug regimen, or device that is approved by the FDA to prevent pregnancy; and is used postcoitally.

SPONSOR'S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:

Sen. FRANKEN: The Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act is a straightforward but vital piece of legislation. It would ensure that servicewomen in our military have reliable and timely access to emergency contraception when they need it.

Emergency contraception, or Plan B as it is more commonly known under its brand name, is Food and Drug Administration-approved medication that prevents pregnancy. It is safe and, if taken shortly after pregnancy, highly effective. Since 2006, the FDA has approved it for over-the-counter sale. Currently, women 17 years old and older may purchase emergency contraception over the counter, while those younger require a prescription. Emergency contraception is widely available at pharmacies throughout the U.S. The problem this legislation is meant to address is that there's no guarantee that emergency contraception be available to our servicewomen in the military. Immediate accessibility is especially important in the case of emergency contraception because it is only effective if taken within a short window of time. Once a pregnancy is established, it doesn't work. The fact that more than 2,900 sexual assaults were reported last year in the military only heightens the need to ensure emergency contraception is always available.

Participating counts on VoteMatch question 1. Question 1: Abortion is a woman's right Scores: -2=Strongly oppose; -1=Oppose; 0=neutral; 1=Support; 2=Strongly support.
• Topic: Abortion
• Headline: Emergency contraception at all military health facilities (Score: 2)
• Headline 2: Sponsored emergency contraception at military facilities (Score: 2)
  
  
• Key for participation codes:
• Sponsorships: p=sponsored; o=co-sponsored; s=signed
• Memberships: c=chair; m=member; e=endorsed; f=profiled; s=scored
• Resolutions: i=introduced; w=wrote; a=adopted
• Cases: w=wrote; j=joined; d=dissented; c=concurred
• Surveys: '+' supports; '-' opposes.