A Minnesota jury found that a pharmacy did not discriminate against a woman when it refused to give her the morning-after pill.
The pharmacist said “belief” was the driving force behind their decision to refuse to fill the prescription for emergency contraception.
After hearing both sides, the jury decided that the woman’s rights had not been violated, but did say that the emotional damage caused by the decision amounted to $25,000.
Gender Justice, a legal advocacy non-profit, filed the lawsuit on behalf of Andrea Anderson in 2019, though the case took almost 3 years before reaching a trial on Monday.
Anderson was denied morning-after contraceptive bills by numerous pharmacies, and said she would have to travel 100 miles total to get a pill.
In a statement released by Gender Justice, she expressed, “I’m concerned about the precedent the jury’s decision sets and the message it gives to other women seeking emergency contraception.”
“What if they accept the pharmacist’s decision and don’t realize that this behavior is wrong? What if they have no other choice?” Anderson said. “Not everyone has the means or ability to drive hundreds of miles to get a prescription filled.
“Unfortunately, highly personal healthcare decisions such as whether to get pregnant and grow your family are heavily politicized,” said Jess Braverman, legal director at Gender Justice. “It is illegal sex discrimination in the state of Minnesota for a pharmacist to refuse to dispense emergency contraception without, at the very least, ensuring a patient can get their prescription without extra delay and cost to them.”
The verdict came after a decision by the supreme court to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion initially protected in the case Roe v. Wade.
Minnesota still allows abortions legally after the overturning of Roe, and permanently blocked numerous medically unnecessary restrictions in July.
The jury’s decision, coincided with Indiana imposing a near-total ban on abortion, the first state to do so following the overturning of Roe.
Following the passing of that law, the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly said it would be forced to plan for more employment growth outside our home state.
“We are concerned that this law will hinder Lilly’s and Indiana’s ability to attract diverse scientific, engineering and business talent from around the world,” it said.
Some traditionally conservative states, such as West Virginia and South Carolina, continue to debate how to change their laws on abortion.
Last week, in the nation’s first referendum on abortion since the supreme court decision, voters in Kansas denied a change to their state constitution protecting abortion rights.
The surprise victory was celebrated as a testament to the desire for abortion rights nationwide, even in Republican-leaning states.
Abortion is NOT a form of birth control! There is always a consequence to or actions! Whether it is good or bad. Get on birth control or keep your legs together! I know there are rape victims who end up pregnant but as many childless couples out there why abort? Hell sell the baby to one of them! My dear friend is a result of her mother being raped! They both love each other just as much if it hadn’t been a rape.
Who or what gives you the right to pass judgement on other women? It is really about sex, not the unborn, is it not? Women should not be allowed to fornicate at night and abort in the morning. They must be punished by forcing them to carry a fetus to term. Conflict about abortion and the morning pill will disappear if women stop having sex and swear off this filthy habit. So be it.
GUARDHOUSE LAWYER
“The verdict came after a decision by the supreme court to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion initially protected in the case Roe v. Wade.“ Needs to be edited. Abortion was never a constitutional right.
So it’s ok for the government to decide on whether an unborn baby must be carried to term leaving the persons desires or wishes unheard? I believe that was not the intention of free will, Is it?
Stop putting political and religious agendas together wasn’t this country founded on religious beliefs and said to keep the two separate? The need for people to be judging other for what they do with their own bodies has always left me wondering why… I do believe it’s your own decision and only your decision. Let god do the judging. Live and let live and keep your beliefs to yourself. He without sin cast the first stone. Is your life so darn boring that you have to look into your fellow man’s personal decisions and medical proceedings to get your jollies? All in the name of Christianity? Ha, that’s a laugh!