I am absolutely appalled to read that the Washington State Board of Pharmacy is considering a proposal that would allow pharmacists to blatantly discriminate against women. More specifically, pharmacists are attempting to deny women access to birth control and emergency contraception, which is prescribed by a physician, because of their personal religious or moral beliefs.
It was only six years ago that Bartell Drugs was sued because its health insurance did not cover birth control. In 2001, the Insurance Commissioner of Washington concluded that not covering birth control prescriptions constituted gender discrimination, and therefore any insurance plan in Washington that covers prescriptions must cover contraception. The current issue with pharmacists is no different than health care coverage for birth control pills.
It seems absurd that a pharmacist could deny access to a drug on the basis of their beliefs. I would be fired from my job if I denied the public access to the products and services I provide on the basis that it was against my religious or moral beliefs. If your beliefs impede your ability to do your job, change careers! If this is permitted, who is to say discrimination will not start occurring on a more regular basis on the premise that it is against an individual’s religious belief?
I am writing my legislative representatives to oppose this proposal and encourage others to do the same.
KATHERINE TOURTELLOT
Lynnwood
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