Scarsdale Politico Lauds Birth Control Decision

On the heels of a controversial birth control call made a New York Judge late last week, one Scarsdale politico is pleased.

Judge Edward R. Korman of New York ordered the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) make the morning after pill available over-the-counter, and to women of all ages.

The pill, commonly known as "Plan B One Step," must be accessible to all by early May. Before Korman's ruling, girls 16 and younger required a prescription to attain the pill.

It's a ruling that state senator of the 88th district and Scarsdale resident Amy Paulin is lauding as a breakthrough.

"When I heard the news, I felt so excited," she said. "I am so happy because this makes such sense. It protects women against unwanted pregnancies. We certainly don’t want teen pregnancies but we haven’t given them a tool to deal with it until now."

"The federal government has finally put politics aside and addressed the issue of unwanted teen pregnancy in a meaningful way," she added.

Paulin, who represents Scarsdale in addition to Bronxville, Pelham and other nearby communities, said the decision was held up by political haggling, not medical anxieties. She added the ruling is one she has been personally fighting for in the state senate for more than five years.

"When the FDA approved the drug for over-the-counter use [in the past] there was no medical reason given as to why it couldn’t be given to younger women," Paulin said. "The Obama administration overruled the FDA because it was still politically incorrect to give it to young girls."

"When I first introduced this bill, the leadership thought it was such a strange concept and they were afraid for me politically," she added. "They thought I was introducing the wackiest legislation on earth."