2 contraceptive bills
face veto from LingleThe measures would allow women
easier access to birth control
after unprotected sex
CORRECTION
Sunday, June 15, 2003» Roz Baker is the state Senate Health Committee chairwoman. She was incorrectly identified as the Health Department chairwoman in an article about contraceptive bills on Page A1 on Wednesday.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.Lobbying is intensifying as Gov. Linda Lingle considers vetoing two bills that would make it easier for women to get emergency contraceptives.
Last month, Lingle said she had concerns about a bill (House Bill 123) that would allow pharmacists to give women an emergency contraceptive and another bill (SB-658) that would require hospitals to give emergency contraceptives to rape victims.
"I would be most disappointed in a women governor who is pro-choice and then not provide a very basic tool for victims of sex assault," said Sen. Roz Baker (D, Honokohau-Makena), health department chairwoman.
Lingle had flagged both bills for possible veto, but had not said what were her concerns.
The emergency contraceptive bill, however, was opposed by Sen. Paul Whalen (R, Milolii-Waimea).
The bill allows pharmacists to dispense the drugs to prevent a pregnancy in a woman who had unprotected sex but also calls on the woman to see a doctor after taking the drugs.
Whalen objected, saying that the drugs were too powerful to be given by non-doctors.
"This is obviously not a step in the right direction," Whalen said.
Supporters, however, say the pharmacists bill is already used in California and Washington state and has reduced unwanted pregnancies and abortions.
"The idea is to minimize unintended pregnancies, so they don't have to face the hard decision of having an abortion," said Annelle Amaral, public affairs director of Planned Parenthood.
Supporters of the bill that would require hospitals to provide the pills to rape victims also has strong supporters. Adriana Ramelli, director of the Hawaii Sex Abuse Treatment Center, called the measure "just good public policy."
"All hospitals serve the community; sex assault isn't about religion," she said. "Rape and assault victims have already been put in a horrendous situation, and they may not have the opportunity to go to another hospital. This is about an unwanted pregnancy that came about because of rape or incest."
She said Honolulu's Catholic-sponsored hospital, St. Francis, has objected to the bill because of concerns that the pills would cause an abortion, which the Church is against. The pill, however, is not the so-called abortion pill, but is an extra heavy dose of birth control pills, according to Baker.
Both Ramelli and representatives of Planned Parenthood met recently with Lingle's senior policy advisor, Randy Roth, but did not get assurances that the governor would approve the bill.
"I am just hoping that the administration will see this as just good public policy," Ramelli said.
The pharmacist bill attracted the support of the state Board of Pharmacy, according to Lee Ann Teshima, the board's executive director.
"The bill would be voluntary and it is only for emergencies," Teshima said.
As a safeguard, Teshima added, if a pharmacist feels that the person is not fit or would be abuse the pills, the pharmacist would not have to give them out.
"Also there would be a follow-up doctor's visit. This is not like we are handing out candy," Teshima said.
Lingle has until June 23 to announce whether she will veto the measures.
