Government Moving Morning-After Abortion Pill Over the Counter

Just days before a court-imposed deadline to lift all age restrictions on the morning-after abortion pill, the government is offering a compromise that will allow the pill over the counter to any woman 15 or older.

Abortion proponents celebrated the news.

“This decision is a step in the right direction for increased access to a product that is a safe and effective method of preventing unintended pregnancies,” said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. “It’s also a decision that moves us closer to these critical availability decisions being based on science, not politics.”

However, extremist groups like the Center for Reproductive Rights vowed to continue court fights until the abortion pill is available to anyone of any age.

The FDA had planned to make the pill available to anyone until Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius overruled and mandated the age restriction. Sebelius said that some girls as young as 11 year old are physically capable of having children but should not be allowed to get abortion pills on demand.

President Obama had supported the restrictions and a spokesman said he has not changed that view despite the court rulings.

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