Obama taken to the woodshed over Plan B decision

Women’s health advocates all over the country were stunned yesterday when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius reversed an FDA request to expand access to over-the-counter emergency contraception for teenagers under the age of 17. In press releases denouncing the decision, a common theme has emerged: President Obama has followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, George W. Bush, on the heated issue of emergency contraception.

DeGette laments surprise Sebelius move against Plan B contraception

Colorado U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, head of the pro-choice caucus and a staunch advocate for women’s health rights, said she was disappointed that the Obama Administration Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, on Wednesday opposed a recommendation by the Food and Drug Administration, announcing she would deny a request to expand access to over-the-counter emergency contraception to women under 17.

Beefed up maternity health insurance bill sails through the House

DENVER– Lawmakers Monday passed a bill in the Colorado House that would require health insurance companies to include prenatal and birth control in all plans offered to women on the individual health care market. Sponsored by Denver Democrats Beth McCann and Jerry Frangas, the bill was stripped of this strong provision in committee weeks ago in order to move it onto the floor. House watchers expected to see a fight on the floor but the bill passed on a voice vote, with only minimal questioning from conservative Monument Republican Amy Stephens, who asked if the bill would now cover so-called Plan B contraception, the “morning after” pill, which some see as akin to abortion.

HHS reproductive health ‘conscience clause’ pushback presses forward

Lawmakers and reproductive health advocates are in full court press to repeal an 11th-hour Bush Administration rule that threatens women’s health care set to go into effect Tuesday — hours before President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration.

State AGs may band together over ‘conscience clause,’ but not Colorado

Expanding on Mike Lillis’ story today on Capitol Hill Democrats’ attempts to repeal the 11th hour Bush Administration “conscience clause” rule that threatens women’s reproductive health care, 13 states are planning a federal court challenge should political remedies fail.

Colorado: The Rockies’ Ugly Step-Child of Contraception Access

It’s not often that Colorado is considered a less progressive state than its wild and woolley neighbor to the north, Wyoming.

On the matter of contraception, the Centennial State has a long way to go to catch up to…

Colorado Ranks Low in Contraception Access

Trotting out the pejorative “Colobama” to describe Colorado’s poor ranking on some quality of life yardstick generally evokes snickers of derision until one realizes that we really are getting the pants beat off of us on a whole host of…

Bill in U.S. Congress Could Expand Access to Plan B

Although the Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of emergency contraception without a prescription last year, that doesn’t mean it’s always available at pharmacies, as Colorado Confidential reported in November. Now, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-New York, has…

Ritter Signs EC in the ER Bill

Sen. Betty Boyd will finally see a bill become law today that she’s worked for four years to get passed. Gov. Ritter will sign Senate Bill 60, which requires hospitals to give sexual assault victims information about emergency contraception. Boyd…

House Committee Says Yes To EC in the ER

A bill that would require hospitals to tell rape victims about emergency contraception moved one step closer to becoming law today as Senate Bill 60 passed unanimously through the House Health & Human Services Committee. It will now go before…