New York Gov. George Pataki (R) on Thursday -- as promised -- vetoed a bill (SB 3661) that would have made emergency contraception available without a doctor's prescription to all women in the state, the Long Island Newsday reports (Mansfield, Long Island Newsday, 8/5). The bill -- which the state Assembly approved in January and the state Senate approved in June -- would have allowed pharmacists and nurses to dispense EC to women without a doctor's prescription using blanket prescriptions issued by physicians, certified nurse midwives or certified nurse practitioners that do not name a specific patient. The measure also would have allowed the pills to be dispensed to patients of any age without parental consent (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 8/4). In his veto message, Pataki said his primary concern about the legislation was the lack of an age restriction. He also said he was concerned that the bill did not limit EC purchases to a single dose and that men could buy EC, which he said could result in older men purchasing the pills and then persuading younger women to have unprotected sex (Matthews, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 8/5). Pataki also wrote, "Finally, the bill should include a requirement that patients obtaining emergency contraception receive counseling regarding the health risks of engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse. While we work to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions, we must also work to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS" (Humbert, Associated Press, 8/4).

Opposition to Veto
Pataki's veto came hours after more than 150 people gathered outside the state Capitol in Albany to urge the governor to sign the bill, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 8/5). "I think he did the wrong thing; it was politically motivated, and the only thing that gives us solace is that women are eventually going to have access to this important pregnancy prevention tool," Kelli Conlin, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice New York, said, adding, "It's either going to be through the FDA or a new administration in Albany, but we will win" (Baker, New York Times, 8/5). Pataki said, "I know that there are many New Yorkers who sincerely disagree with this position, and I respect and appreciate their views. But my action today is based solely on a desire to protect the health and safety of our youngest and most vulnerable women" (Humbert, AP/Yahoo! News, 8/4).

Pataki Expresses Conditional Support
Despite vetoing the measure, Pataki expressed support for the concept of allowing EC sales without a doctor's prescription by saying he would work with the state Legislature to enact revised legislation, the New York Times reports. State Sen. Nicholas Spano (R), who sponsored SB 3661, said he understands Pataki's concerns and is encouraged by his conditional support of the idea. Spano added that he does not think any of Pataki's suggestions for improvements will doom the measure in the Legislature (New York Times, 8/5).