Letter to the Editor: Barriers
By Wanda Jo Stapleton,
Oklahoma City on Sep 15, 2013, at 2:24 AM Updated on 9/15/13 at 5:54 AM
Letters to the Editor
In his letter, ("No One Listened," Aug. 31) Robert Leppelmeir made some inaccurate claims, inaccurate conclusions and key omissions. His intent was to exonerate George W. Bush for his war against Iraq.
Re: Baby Veronica story: Isn't it just a little odd that the same attorneys in Oklahoma City and South Carolina and the adoption agency are the same parties in the Desaray case in Oklahoma City and are now representing the Capobiancos.
New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights joined the Oklahoma Coalition for Reproductive Justice in court to challenge an Oklahoma law that restricts women's access to emergency contraception (called Plan B or the morning-after pill) when they need it most - as soon as possible after unprotected sex or after accidental failure of contraception.
This law requires that females under age 17 must have a prescription for the morning-after pill, which if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex (or contraceptive failure), will most likely prevent pregnancy and is considered safe for girls of reproductive age to self-administer. Getting a doctor's appointment and a prescription are time-consuming endeavors that could cause unacceptable delays.
Even an older woman must show identification to prove her age. What if she doesn't have an identification card?
These unnecessary barriers were set up by our Oklahoma Legislature, which apparently has a fixation on female reproduction. For example, this Legislature has passed a barrage of bills over the last few years that deal with abortion. One would think that abortion foes would be among the strongest proponents of all types of contraception. Apparently not.
Happily, the court intervened.
On Aug. 19, Oklahoma County District Court Judge Lisa Davis ruled that the law cannot go into effect while the lawsuit is pending. She added that CRR's challenge has a high likelihood of succeeding.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma women of all ages can buy the morning-after pill on pharmacy shelves without restrictions.
Editor's note: Stapleton is a former Oklahoma legislator.
Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to
letters@tulsaworld.com.
Letters to the Editor
In his letter, ("No One Listened," Aug. 31) Robert Leppelmeir made some inaccurate claims, inaccurate conclusions and key omissions. His intent was to exonerate George W. Bush for his war against Iraq.
Re: Baby Veronica story: Isn't it just a little odd that the same attorneys in Oklahoma City and South Carolina and the adoption agency are the same parties in the Desaray case in Oklahoma City and are now representing the Capobiancos.
