We at The Family Foundation are pleased to report another victory this session. This past summer, Divine Mercy Care Pharmacy (DMC) a Catholic pharmacy operating according to Catholic, pro-life principles opened in Chantilly, Virginia. Since opening, the pharmacy has received much press for their refusal to sell contraceptives or fill birth control prescriptions as it conflicts with their pro-life stance. This General Assembly session, Delegate Englin (D-45, Alexandria) introduced House Bill 2373, a bill that appears to directly target DMC Pharmacy because of its moral stance.
In the House Health Welfare and Institutions committee, Delegate Englin introduced the bill, explaining its three components. First, it mandated that any pharmacist refusing to fulfill a contraception prescription treat the patient “in a nonjudgmental manner” and not subject him to “indignity, humiliation, or breeches in confidentiality.” Second, the bill prohibited a pharmacist for confiscating a prescription he will not fill. The final provision required a pharmacy to post a sign 30-point boldface print near their counter in saying: “This pharmacy will not fill or refill birth control prescriptions.”
After the bill’s introduction, delegates began voicing their concerns and questions. Delegate Orrock (R-54, Thornburg) asked how one would determine “judgmental behavior.” To this, Delegate Englin replied that one would “know it when one sees it.” Next Delegate Bell (R- 58, Charlottesville) informed the committee that the section pertaining to pharmacists confiscating a prescription was redundant in that such action should fall under the larceny statute, making this provision unnecessary.
The committee chair Delegate Hamilton (R-93, Newport News) then opened the debate to comments from the audience. Several folks joined me in speaking against the bill including, a longtime friend of TFF Bob Laird who spoke representing the pharmacy, Jeff Caruso from the Virginia Catholic Conference and a Catholic priest from Chantilly who frequents the pharmacy.
A representative from NARAL spoke in favor of the bill. Interestingly enough, she claimed that if the bill forced pharmacists to distribute any particular drugs NARAL would not support the bill. Her statement is in stark contrast with the organization’s position on their website, “We must guarantee women’s access to their legally prescribed medications because telling women to simply ‘go elsewhere’ is not just an inconvenience, it is impossible. . . Pharmacies have an ethical obligation to honor valid, legal prescriptions and avoid jeopardizing their patients' health.”
When voted on, HB 2373 failed with 14 against and 8.
Sign Up for Twitter Updates @ www.twitter.com/TFFVA
Join Us On Facebook @ www.facebook.com
See Our Video Center On YouTube @ www.youtube.com/user/
Posts
