Remarks by Speaker Sheldon Silver

Emergency Contraception Press Conference

State Capitol, Speaker's Conference Room
Monday, February 2, 2004

Audio Excerpt 1 (21 seconds) Audio Excerpt 2 (24 seconds) View Transcription

While the Bush Administration and its supporters in Congress are busy declaring war on women, we've gathered here to announce that this afternoon the Assembly Majority intends to take up and pass - for the second consecutive year - "The Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act;"

Legislation that will enable women to obtain emergency contraception directly from a pharmacist, registered nurse or licensed midwife without a prescription.

Here in support of the bill are many Members of the Assembly Majority, including the prime sponsor of our legislation, Assembly Member Amy Paulin, as well as the Chair of our Health Committee and co-sponsor of this bill, Assembly Member Dick Gottfried.

They will be addressing the specifics of our legislation for you in a few moments.

We are privileged to have some special guests joining us this afternoon as well.

Speaking on our legislation are:

• Kelli Conlin, the Executive Director of the New York Chapter of NARAL Pro-Choice;
• And Donna Montalto Williams, Executive Director of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Standing in support as well are:

• JoAnn Smith, Chief Executive of the Family Planning Advocates;
• Gail Myers, representing the New York State Nurses Association;
• Doctor Michael Caldwell, who is the President of the New York State Association of County Health Officials, and the Dutchess County Health Commissioner;
• And Thea Griffin, representing the National Association of Social Workers.

I'm proud to say that the Assembly Majority has a longstanding record of ensuring that women have access to the quality health-care services they need and deserve.

On September 30th, 2003, the Assembly Majority's "Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims" legislation was signed into law.

Sponsored by Assembly Member Susan John, this legislation - which the Assembly Majority passed three years in a row before it became law - requires hospitals to counsel rape survivors on the use of emergency contraception and to offer medication on site.

Today, we move this State one step closer to giving women greater ability to protect their own health; a protection this State - out of a simple sense of justice, respect and compassion - should always have provided to women.

Emergency contraception is safe. It is effective. It prevents unintended pregnancies, reduces the need for abortion services.

The medication was approved by the Food and Drug Administration back in 1997. The FDA has yet to approve emergency contraception for "over-the-counter" dispensing even though its own scientific committees are urging the FDA Commissioner to do so.

The Assembly Majority supports the recommendation of the FDA scientific committees, and with the leadership of Assembly Members Amy Paulin and Dick Gottfried, is taking charge on this issue so that women have the protection - and the government action - they deserve.

We urge the Governor and our colleagues in the Senate to join us in making The Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act the law of the State of New York.