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Mar. 6--State lawmakers are poised to consider a bill that would give women better access to the morningafter pill.
And the bill has found a most unlikely supporter in the Arizona Legislature -- a Republican lawmaker.
"I think as a woman, if I have a valid prescription, that I should be able to get that filled," said Sen. Carolyn Allen, R-Scottsdale, who introduced SB1518.
The bill, which Allen said Republican lawmakers are planning to discuss this afternoon, would require pharmacies to fill valid prescriptions regardless of a store employee's religious beliefs.
The move comes as several states have passed laws giving pharmacists leeway to refuse service to patients looking to obtain emergency contraception if an employee objects because of religious or moral beliefs.
Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and South Dakota have enacted laws allowing pharmacists to refuse to dispense the drug also given to women in incidents when rape is suspected to protect them from getting pregnant.
Last year, Gov. Janet Napolitano vetoed the Republican-backed "right of conscience'' bill that would have allowed pharmacists and other health care providers to refuse to dispense medications that could cause an abortion.
Allen said women needing the drug must be able to get it immediately and should not be turned away.
Allen said she decided to introduce the bill to increase protection of women's rights.
"I think this party has been taken over by the extreme right-wing members who want to force their morals and beliefs on everybody," said Allen, who admits that many in her party disagree with her view.
Opponents of the drug believe it is the equivalent of an early abortion. The pill essentially is a massive dose of hormones, similar to a woman taking several regular birth control pills at once.
Sen. Karen Johnson, RMesa, said she opposes use of the drug, even for rape victims.
"It's an abortion and I don't believe in that," Johnson said. "Although I respect Sen. Allen's views on this, I will have to oppose the bill."
There is evidence that the hormones, taken at a certain time, can prevent ovulation. But there also is evidence that the same hormones, taken at another point in a woman's cycle, can block a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
Sen. Robert Blendu, RLitchfield Park, who chairs the Rules Committee scheduled to hear the bill, said he was unsure of the outcome.
Blendu, who said he still didn't know how he would vote on the measure, said he understands both sides of the issue and called the upcoming decision a difficult one.
On one hand, Blendu said it's unfair to require someone to do something that's against his or her beliefs. But on the other hand, he said they have the option of taking another job if they're uncomfortable with their duties.
"It's a real tough call," he said.
But Michelle Steinberg, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona, said the state should protect the rights of women who need emergency contraception.
She said there have been reports throughout the state of women who have been refused service at certain pharmacies because of an employee's religious beliefs.
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Copyright (c) 2006, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.
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