Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04) today led a group of 44 Members of Congress in expressing disappointment in the anti-scientific decision by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to limit the availability of Plan B emergency contraception.

Last week, Secretary Sebelius overruled career scientists at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, who had recommended that emergency contraceptives be sold over-the-counter.  As the Members wrote, “Science has confirmed that the drug is safe and effective with appropriate use and health experts have demonstrated that an age restriction is unnecessary.  Your decision marks the first time a Health and Human Services Secretary has overruled FDA scientists.  This is a profoundly troubling outcome from an Administration that stated science should be the foundation for such decisions.  As you look ahead to future decisions affecting the health of millions of women, including those relating to birth control access, we urge you to put science first.”

The full text of the letter follows below.

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20500
 
Dear Secretary Sebelius,

We write to express our disappointment over your decision not to make the emergency contraceptive Plan B available over the counter for all girls of reproductive age. 

Emergency contraception is a safe and effective medication that prevents pregnancy if taken soon after sexual intercourse.  As you know, emergency contraception does not cause an abortion, but prevents pregnancy.  Emergency contraception has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1999.  In 2006, the FDA approved emergency contraception for over the counter sales for individuals ages 18 and older, and it has been available over the counter for women age 17 and older since 2009. 

Providing emergency contraception over the counter for all girls of reproductive age would be consistent with the policies of many countries around the world, including the United Kingdom.  Denying over the counter access will harm the effort to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Science has confirmed that the drug is safe and effective with appropriate use and health experts have demonstrated that an age restriction is unnecessary.  Your decision marks the first time a Health and Human Services Secretary has overruled FDA scientists.  This is a profoundly troubling outcome from an Administration that stated science should be the foundation for such decisions.  As you look ahead to future decisions affecting the health of millions of women, including those relating to birth control access, we urge you to put science first.

Sincerely,

Rep. Rush Holt
Rep. Gwen Moore
Rep. Charlie Rangel
Rep. Barbara Lee
Rep. Sam Farr
Rep. Diana DeGette
Rep. Chellie Pingree
Rep. George Miller
Rep. Bob Filner
Rep. Pete Stark
Rep. Mike Quigley
Rep. Laura Richardson
Rep. Alcee Hastings
Rep. Linda Sanchez
Rep. Jerrold Nadler
Rep. Carolyn Maloney
Rep. Steve Cohen
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Rep. Joseph Crowley
Rep. Gerry Connolly
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
Rep. James McGovern
Rep. Peter DeFazio                            
Rep. Adam Smith                              
Rep. Gary Ackerman                         
Rep. Lynn Woolsey                           
Rep. John Olver                                 
Rep. Lloyd Doggett                           
Rep. Zoe Lofgren                              
Rep. Chris Murphy                            
Rep. Mike Honda                              
Rep. Kathy Castor                             
Rep. Nita Lowey       
Rep. Niki Tsongas
Rep. Ted Deutch
Rep. Edolphus Towns
Rep. Steven Rothman
Rep. Janice Hahn
Rep. Doris Matsui
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard
Rep. Rosa DeLauro
Rep. William Keating
Rep. Jay Inslee