Mass tells Wal-Mart it must sell abortion pill

[FreeTedWilliams]

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/02/14/D8FP1BPG2.html

This is everything that is wrong about Massachusetts and why I am so glad I no longer live there. How can you make a private company sell something? Where exactly is your reasoning behind this?

[PatsFanInEaglesLand]

Because you know these "women" could not of found another pharmacy I mean there are about as many pharmacies as there are dunkin donuts in the state.

[Pujo]

Originally Posted by FreeTedWilliams

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/02/14/D8FP1BPG2.html

This is everything that is wrong about Massachusetts and why I am so glad I no longer live there. How can you make a private company sell something? Where exactly is your reasoning behind this?

I should preface this by saying that 1. I disagree with Massachusetts on this, and 2. I am pro-choice.

The reasoning, if that's all you're looking for, is pretty obvious: when a woman needs* some form of medication, she should be able to get it at any pharmacy, without having to worry about getting to one and finding out they have objections and don't sell the drug.

I'd accept the state's argument if they had a blanket law requiring all pharmacies to sell all medications as a condition for keeping their license (this is far from the libertarian ideal, but this is the world we live in). In that case, I don't think there should be a special exemption for abortion drugs. However, since pharmacies are free to not cary other drugs (like OxyCotin), I don't think abortion pills should have unique status.

*I'm defining "needs" as determined by a woman and her doctor, I don't want to turn "needs abortion drugs" into a great word debate.

[Harry Boy]

Another case of "Liberal Socialism Communism Looneyism Loopyism @ass holeism".

They want to control everything, because they know whats right and whats best for you.

Hillary won't rest until she gets to tell you what Doctor she insists you go to.

It must be terrible to be liberal.

[sieglo]

Is Massachusetts also going to legislate that all pharmacies carry jock itch treatment in 17 varieties? Actually, why stop at pharmacies? What about convenience stores, grocery stores, etc. Because there are a lot of people that "might need it" and it should be their "right" to get it "everywhere".

[dryheat44]

Actually, this is a big issue here (Virginia) also. Some pharmacists are refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control pills.

This is clearly wrong.

But I think Massachusetts' take is misguided. Walmart shouldn't be forced to carry anything it doesn't want to, for the same reason Blockbuster shouldn't be forced to rent porn.

[Harry Boy]

I wonder what would happen if they told them they had to sell the Bible.

[Chevy]

Originally Posted by dryheat44

Actually, this is a big issue here (Virginia) also. Some pharmacists are refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control pills.

This is clearly wrong.

But I think Massachusetts' take is misguided. Walmart shouldn't be forced to carry anything it doesn't want to, for the same reason Blockbuster shouldn't be forced to rent porn.

How is this wrong? The only way I can see the state being justified in enforcing this is if the pharmacy in question is state run or funded. In the case of a privately owned and funded pharmacy this just plain wrong.

[Patters]

Pharmacies do not have the right to pass moral judgment on patients, and state's have the right to regulate pharmacies to protect the public. The state is protecting a womans right over her own body. You may not agree with the morning after pill, but until it's outlawed, it's a medication that in some cases is probably given with good cause.

[Chevy]

Originally Posted by Patters

Pharmacies do not have the right to pass moral judgment on patients, and state's have the right to regulate pharmacies to protect the public. The state is protecting a womans right over her own body. You may not agree with the morning after pill, but until it's outlawed, it's a medication that in some cases is probably given with good cause.

The only rights being violated are those of the private business owner, who has the right to say "I do not want to be associated with this product."

A woman's rights are not in jeopardy here. No authority has said that the morning after pill is illegal.