Washington D.C., Dec 12, 2011 / 23:20 pm
The Obama administration’s overruling of an FDA proposal to provide the Plan B “morning-after pill” to preteen girls won praise from Catholic leaders who said it protected parental responsibility and the health of young adolescent girls.
“Our country must help parents exercise their responsibility to their children,” Catholic Health Association president and CEO Sr. Carol Keehan, D.C., said Dec. 9.
“Giving parents control over relatively inconsequential areas such as ear-piercing and then taking it away in such a serious area would not only put their children at risk but undermine parents' ability to parent. This great country is built on the strength of the family and this decision helps to maintain a strong role for parents in critical decisions.”
Sr. Keehan said the CHA is “very grateful” to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, calling her decision to override the FDA’s approval “intelligent and courageous.”