Hey, GOP: It's Called Plan B

By Joanna Miller in News on Nov 8, 2006 9:53PM

It’s been a rough day for Republicans what with the whole loss of power in the House and possibly the Senate, Rumsfeld’s resignation, and getting used to the idea of Nancy Pelosi as the first female speaker of the House. Are we forgetting anything? Oh probably. Who can keep track anymore?

Oh, right, here’s one more: Cases full of a little something called the “morning-after” pill are on their way to drug stores at this very moment. As of next week, anyone 18 and older will be able to buy Plan B without a prescription, reducing the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sex by 89 percent.

Walgreens plans to charge $41.99 for one two-pill dose; Osco will charge $35. This emergency contraceptive reduces the chances of becoming pregnant from unprotected sex from 8 percent to 1 percent.

There are nearly 3 million unintended pregnancies in the U.S. each year. Could reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies be a step toward a new definition of “family values?”