Bush White House Targets Women's Health Office Again

Washington, DC – Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, called today's reports about budget cuts to the Office of Women's Health at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a clear sign that politics could once again trump sound science and medicine in the Bush administration. 

"For more than three years, political appointees at the FDA disregarded sound science and medical expertise by blocking over-the-counter access for emergency contraception," said Keenan.  "Now, after commonsense and public health finally prevailed, we learn that the Office of Women's Health is on the chopping block.  Reportedly, more than one-quarter of its $4 million operating budget is slated to be cut.  This development begs a question for the Bush administration, 'Why is women's health 25 percent less important this year than last?'"

Keenan said that these reports also raise questions about political retribution for this office because President Bush's far-right allies opposed improving women's access to a safe, effective form of backup birth control. 

"The Office of Women's Health should not be undermined simply because the president's far-right base opposes sound decision-making.  There is no room for this kind of divisive attack on women's reproductive health, and a funding cut will only interfere with the agency's ability to do what's right," Keenan said. 

NARAL Pro-Choice America has been a national leader in demanding that the FDA end its delay on approving over-the-counter access to Plan B®.  In its current campaign, NARAL Pro-Choice America is calling on national pharmacy chains to adopt a nationwide policy guaranteeing women's access to Plan B®, the over-the-counter emergency contraceptive.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032