Kate's published a Plan B primer on Campus Progress that's really very good. Plan B is a contraceptive, day-after pill. It doesn't induce abortion, it prevents conception. Moreover, it's incredibly, shockingly, totally safe. And yet, for the first time in memory, the FDA has overruled its panel's overwhelming recommendation and kept it from hopping over the counter, where it could be purchased by those in need. More so than any other issue I know of, this is a case of religious politics triumphing over sound medicine, and for that matter, common sense. It really lays bare the battle lines in the abortion fight, which are that Republicans really aren't focused on limiting the number of abortions, they're much more interested in controlling and restricting the occurrence of intercourse. In any case, for those uninitiated or looking for an introduction (including how to get it, which states have allowed it over the counter, and so forth), read the piece. It's great work.
Fun Fact: Did you know Wal-Mart won't allow any of its pharmacies to stock Plan-B? Which means that when they drive the other pharmacies in the area out of business, it's just like Plan B had never been invented. Isn't time travel fun!?
