Did you know that pro-choice advocates are urging the passage of a Virginia bill that would define birth control as any contraceptive method approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?

Pro-choice advocates in Virginia argue that legislation is needed to ensure that all forms of birth control, including Emergency Contraception (EC), remain legal in Virginia.  Anti-abortion opponents contend that EC is a form of abortion and should be prohibited under Virginia law.  But by redefining the term “birth control” to include all contraceptive methods approved by the FDA, EC would remain legal under Virginia law.  EC, or the “morning-after” pill, is among other approved items the FDA lists as birth control and can be taken shortly after sex to help prevent an unintended pregnancy.  Mira Singer, a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood, stated: “The bill is intended to prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the need for abortion by protecting all types of contraception…there’s nothing more common sense and common ground than birth control.” 

Larry O'Dell, Bill Would Shield Birth Control from Virginia Abortion Laws, Assoc. Press, Jan. 18, 2007.  H.B. 2221, 2007 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Va. 2007).