# Disgusting tale of woman's unsucessful search for emergency contraception **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 26, 2006, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272 "2006-09-26T21:58:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/181 "2012-12-23T19:26:19Z")
> [@jemc49673](#): > > (From first event thru the procedure I drove over 624.8 miles seeking a service provider that respected MY choices…) Was this an emergency contraception situation? It sounds like it’s not (you were seeking RU-486, not Plan B) but the thread title threw me… ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/182 "2012-12-23T19:49:23Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Was this an emergency contraception situation? It sounds like it’s not (you were seeking RU-486, not Plan B) but the thread title threw me… By the dates listed, it looks like Plan B was originally sought right away last December, denied, and then nothing for 3 months so it turned into asking RU-486 in March, (FYI, RU-486 can only be used up to 7th week and has to be confirmed via ultrasound prior to dispensing) which then turned into an abortion. Then Plan B was sought again in September, denied, and it’s now another 3 months later. Three obscure complaints have been filed. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/183 "2012-12-23T19:58:56Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > By the dates listed, it looks like Plan B was originally sought right away last December I thought so too, but this was confusing to me: > [@jemc49673](#): > > 12/5/2011- Rite Aid - Corning, Ca.- Refused to dispense the \*advertised/stocked E.C. I requested stating “Medi-Cal doesn’t cover it” and directing me to the nearest crisis clinic in Red Bluff, Ca. Plan B is available Over The Counter. Insurance never should have even come into it any more than it would for any OTC medication. ---
**Author:** ![jemc49673](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/977dab/32.png) [@jemc49673](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jemc49673)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/184 "2012-12-23T19:59:47Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Was this an emergency contraception situation? It sounds like it’s not (you were seeking RU-486, not Plan B) but the thread title threw me… I was refused planb which led to the preg., and then the state/gov contracted health center (\*which is required to provide ALL FDA approved services/meds.) refused to write a scrip so that I could obtain RU-486 which the local pharm. carries…\*this is a rural area and 100/200 miles from other providers. I then had to travel that distance for a surgical term. …so on and so forth. ---
**Author:** ![jemc49673](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/977dab/32.png) [@jemc49673](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jemc49673)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/185 "2012-12-23T20:02:23Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > I thought so too, but this was confusing to me: > > Plan B is available Over The Counter. Insurance never should have even come into it any more than it would for any OTC medication. Sure it should have… over the counter doesnt mean ‘free’…lol. But, it was covered…they simply refused to verify that coverage! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/186 "2012-12-23T20:04:30Z")
Why did it take you three months to continue your quest? My wife (then, my girlfriend) and I had a contraceptive mishap several years ago. The first pharmacist we went to denied it to us on moral grounds. So we went to another pharmacy. Now, I realize that there are many places where you might have less options. And I think that it is abhorrent that a pharmacist can make moral decisions for something that doesn’t concern him. But how come you didn’t do more in December? And why did insurance come into play at all at that point? ---
**Author:** ![jemc49673](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/977dab/32.png) [@jemc49673](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jemc49673)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/187 "2012-12-23T20:04:57Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > By the dates listed, it looks like Plan B was originally sought right away last December, denied, and then nothing for 3 months so it turned into asking RU-486 in March, (FYI, RU-486 can only be used up to 7th week and has to be confirmed via ultrasound prior to dispensing) which then turned into an abortion. Then Plan B was sought again in September, denied, and it’s now another 3 months later. Three obscure complaints have been filed. Oh there was plenty other attempts in between … but when i realized it was futile… I then used pennyroyal and blue cohosh, as well as other herbs…etc. when it was clear that was not helping…😮 (I have pre-existing conditions…which is why prevention was vital!) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/188 "2012-12-23T20:06:03Z")
> [@jemc49673](#): > > Sure it should have… over the counter doesnt mean ‘free’…lol. But, it was covered…they simply refused to verify that coverage! My insurance doesn’t cover OTC medication. I didn’t know many did. I mean, do you use your insurance for Tylenol? Why didn’t you just buy it? It’s not some $500 a pill stuff. It’s actually very inexpensive - it cost us like $20-30. ---
**Author:** ![jemc49673](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/977dab/32.png) [@jemc49673](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jemc49673)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/189 "2012-12-23T20:06:59Z")
the 9/28 refusal was an attempt to obtain (\*what was covered…) before my coverage expired and the other local advertised clinics had already denied earlier in the year…I hoped the ER would be different. ---
**Author:** ![jemc49673](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/977dab/32.png) [@jemc49673](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jemc49673)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/190 "2012-12-23T20:07:59Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > My insurance doesn’t cover OTC medication. I didn’t know many did. I mean, do you use your insurance for Tylenol? > > Why didn’t you just buy it? It’s not some $500 a pill stuff. It’s actually very inexpensive - it cost us like $20-30. Tylenol is NOT an EMERGENCY preventative medication… and MY INSURANCE tends to cover anything…as I am in a ‘high risk pool’ ---
**Author:** ![jemc49673](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/977dab/32.png) [@jemc49673](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jemc49673)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/191 "2012-12-23T20:09:03Z")
> [@jemc49673](#): > > Tylenol is NOT an EMERGENCY preventative medication… and MY INSURANCE tends to cover anything…as I am in a ‘high risk pool’ and yet it was well more than I had to spend… but I see where u are going with this, ---
**Author:** ![jemc49673](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/977dab/32.png) [@jemc49673](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jemc49673)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/192 "2012-12-23T20:10:44Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Why did it take you three months to continue your quest? > > My wife (then, my girlfriend) and I had a contraceptive mishap several years ago. The first pharmacist we went to denied it to us on moral grounds. So we went to another pharmacy. > > Now, I realize that there are many places where you might have less options. And I think that it is abhorrent that a pharmacist can make moral decisions for something that doesn’t concern him. > > But how come you didn’t do more in December? And why did insurance come into play at all at that point? i stopped at 2 more pharms and the nearest pp…but it imposed a waiting week…? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/193 "2012-12-23T20:10:50Z")
> [@jemc49673](#): > > Tylenol is NOT an EMERGENCY preventative medication… and MY INSURANCE tends to cover anything…as I am in a ‘high risk pool’ It doesn’t matter what the medication is _FOR_. It’s either over the counter or prescription-only. Sometimes an insurance company will allow you to use OTC medication costs against deductibles and the like, but AFAIK, what the medication is for means nothing compared to how you get it. And you didn’t say why you didn’t just pay for it. ---
**Author:** ![jemc49673](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/977dab/32.png) [@jemc49673](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jemc49673)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/194 "2012-12-23T20:12:44Z")
> [@jemc49673](#): > > i stopped at 2 more pharms and the nearest pp…but it imposed a waiting week…? with all due respect!!! I did WELL MORE than is or ever should be required to obtain a service that my coverage provides for… and these facilities receive state and federal funds to deliever. A facility that sells it for cash cannot refuse on morals?!? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/195 "2012-12-23T20:13:34Z")
> [@jemc49673](#): > > i stopped at 2 more pharms and the nearest pp…but it imposed a waiting week…? You didn’t say that in your information but AFAIK, PP doesn’t enforce any waiting period for EC unless mandated by law which isn’t the case in California. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/196 "2012-12-23T20:14:59Z")
> [@jemc49673](#): > > i stopped at 2 more pharms and the nearest pp…but it imposed a waiting week…? Frankly, while you were at the pharmacy, I think you should have bought an enema kit. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/197 "2012-12-23T20:22:34Z")
Wait…you’ve never heard of a conscious clause either? Get off the internet and go read the news. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/198 "2012-12-23T21:16:54Z")
Start with Google, which will helpfully suggest “did you mean conscience clause?” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/199 "2012-12-23T21:35:05Z")
Six years later, and the woman _still_ hasn’t been able to get emergency contraception? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272/200 "2012-12-23T21:35:22Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Start with Google, which will helpfully suggest “did you mean conscience clause?” Well, yes. Obviously. Sorry for the auto-correct error. Bully for you for understanding what I meant. Anyway, her story doesn’t make any sense, at least the Plan B portion of it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-tale-of-womans-unsucessful-search-for-emergency-contraception/374272.md?page=11)