Testimony
Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee
Senate Joint Memmorial 8032 
February 1, 2006

Good Afternoon Senator Keiser and members of the Committee.  My name is Matt Muckler and I am the Legislative Director for the Washington State Catholic Conference, which represents the Catholic bishops of the State of Washington on issues on public policy.  
I am here today to oppose Senate Joint Memorial 8032.  Plan B is essentially an “overdose” of birth control pills, which do require a prescription.  It is marketed and advertised as a "contraceptive" but its own proponents admit that it works before and after conception.    This type of morning-after pill has been associated with a heightened risk of ectopic pregnancy and a few deaths.

The Memorial encourages that this powerful and potentially abortifacient drug be made available over-the-counter to anyone.  Theoretically, that could include a very young  girl.  At the very least, we should encourage women or girls to seek the advice of their physician.  We believe that making Plan B available over the counter could pose a significant health risk to women.

  We thank you for your consideration.