When it's an emergency, you just can't wait

In 2005, Illinois Governor Blagojevich stepped into the emergency contraception debate. Around the country and even in blue-state Illinois, women were being denied access to EC and in some cases, they had their prescription slips taken away. Gov. Blagojevich took women's side and said that prescriptions for contraceptives must be filled without delay. Anti-choice pharmacists took issue and said that the rule made them violate their beliefs and filed suit.

On October 11th, a "compromise" was settled on:

Illinois pharmacies must fill prescriptions for Plan B and other emergency contraceptive pills "without delay," as Gov. Rod Blagojevich decreed in 2005. But individual pharmacists who believe dispensing the pills would violate their religious beliefs don't have to get involved. Instead, the customer can receive the medication from the pharmacy owner or another employee after an off-site pharmacist approves the prescription by phone or fax.

Womenstake points out that this compromise is exactly what the rule was before hand. There is a difference between a pharmacy and a pharmacist. It's just too bad that we didn't have a ruling akin to the recent victory in Connecticut.

One thing is certain: Planned Parenthood will always be a place where you can access birth control and especially emergency contraception without delay. For people over 18, you should be able to access EC over the counter at your local pharmacy. Those under 18 still need a prescription.

While this ruling sounds like it only affects emergency contraception, we know that there are times when women get the run around when filling every day birth control. In either situation, if you are in a situation where you can't get your prescription filled, please, please, please report it. Just call 800-280-4149. You can see what your rights are on the State of Illinois Dept of Financial & Professional Regulations site. NOTE: that link is to a PDF document.

I think the NOW campaign logo says it all.


technorati tags: Planned Parenthood Aurora, EC, birth control, Morning After Pill, Illinois, Emergency Contraception, Walgreens

Report back from Southern Illinois

Now here's some good, pretty balanced media reports...coming from SIU's Daily Egyptian regarding Sunday's rally in support of reproductive justice and Aurora clinic:

The rally was a collaboration of many local groups who joined together to help raise awareness, said Melissa Obermiller, the president of the Southern Illinois chapter of the National Organization of Women.

"We believe that women should have the right to choose what's best for their body. Especially in the area of reproductive freedom," Obermiller said.

There is also a video of the event on the site. Amazing, amazing photos. Great job, Southern Illinois!

Southern Illinois Stands with Aurora

And this isn't just a Chicagoan saying Southern Illinois, this is SOUTHERN Illnois. If you're in Carbondale join the rally and send your photos!

Southern Illinois to Rally in Support of Aurora

October 1, 2007

CARBONDALE, IL: On September 20, a U.S. district court judge denied a request from Planned Parenthood of the Chicago Area (PP/CA) to allow a new health center in Aurora, IL, to open its doors. Today, permits were finally granted to open the doors of the clinic, effective immediately.

To show our support for a woman's right to choose, as well as support for the Aurora clinic, and to say thank you to City of Aurora Mayor, Tom Weisner, Southern Illinois NOW will be demonstrating on Sunday, October 7th at 9:00 A.M. in front of the Town Square Pavillion in Carbondale.

The initial ruling was a disappointment for Aurora women and their families. Every day the health center was not open, more women went without Pap tests, birth control supplies, and breast exams. That is a real shame for a region, and a country, in the middle of a catastrophic health care crisis.

Women in southern Illinois have seen first hand what limited resources can do. Many women living in our rural communities often find it challenging not only to find basic healthcare, but available options for their particular financial status. Without options, routine basic health care goes by the wayside, thus adding to an already stressed health care situation.

Several years ago, as an uninsured single mother of two, I was unable to schedule routine gynecological exams. As a result, I suffered physical pain that was recently diagnosed as Endometriosis, or a thickening of the uterus. I had experienced pain for many years, but was not able to seek medical treatment due to my financial status. Eventually, I needed surgery.

Had I been able to receive routine gynecological care, options other than surgery might have been available, as changes in my health could have been monitored more closely.

Southern Illinois NOW wishes to thank City of Aurora Mayor, Tom Weisner, for issuing the permits necessary to keep the Aurora Clinic open, and for allowing women to take charge of their own well-being.

My story, and others like it are why Southern Illinois NOW chooses to raise it's voices in support of the clinic in Aurora. As President of Southern Illinois NOW, I encourage all women, and those who love them and value their health, well-being and lives, to join us Sunday, October 7th at 9:00 A.M. in front of the Town Square Pavillion in Carbondale.

Attendees are encouraged to bring friends and family as well as signs of support.