intended, and 4 in 10 of these unintended preg-
nancies end in abortion. 
(2) The Food and Drug Administration has de-
clared emergency contraception to be safe and effec-
tive in preventing unintended pregnancy for women 
of reproductive potential and has approved over-the- 
counter access to the emergency contraceptive Plan 
B for adults. 
(3) Emergency contraception consists of the 
same hormones found in ordinary birth control pills. 
Research indicates that emergency contraception can 
reduce the risk of pregnancy from 59 to 94 percent. 
Although more effective the sooner it is taken, med-
ical evidence indicates that emergency contraception 
can be effective up to 5 days after unprotected inter-
course or contraceptive failure. 
(4) Emergency contraception, also known as 
postcoital contraception, is a responsible means of 
preventing pregnancy that works like other hormonal 
contraception by preventing or delaying ovulation, 
preventing fertilization and may prevent implanta-
tion. 
(5) Emergency contraception does not termi-
nate an established pregnancy. 
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(6) Emergency contraceptive use in the United 
States remains low, and 1 in 3 women of reproduc-
tive age remain unaware of the method. 
(7) The percentage of women who have ever 
used emergency contraception, increased from 4 per-
cent in 2002 to 10 percent in 2006–2008, yet sig-
nificant disparities exist for young urban, minority 
women who lack general knowledge about emergency 
contraception. 
(8) Although the American College of Obstetri-
cians and Gynecologists recommends that doctors 
routinely discuss emergency contraception with 
women of reproductive age during their annual visit, 
only 1 in 4 obstetricians/gynecologists routinely dis-
cuss emergency contraception with their patients, 
suggesting the need for greater provider and patient 
education. 
(9) It is estimated that 25,000 to 32,000 
women become pregnant each year as a result of 
rape or incest, half of whom choose to terminate 
their pregnancy. If used correctly, emergency contra-
ception could help many of these rape survivors 
avoid the additional trauma of facing an unintended 
pregnancy. 
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(10) A recent study conducted by Ibis Repro-
ductive Health found that less than 16 percent of 
hospitals provide emergency contraception at a wom-
an’s request without restrictions. At nearly 44 per-
cent of hospitals, emergency contraception is un-
available even in cases of sexual assault. 
(11) In light of their safety and efficacy, both 
the American Medical Association and the American 
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have en-
dorsed more widespread availability of emergency 
contraceptive. 
(12) Healthy People 2010, published by the Of-
fice of the Surgeon General, establishes a 10-year 
national public health goal of increasing the propor-
tion of health care providers who provide emergency 
contraception to their patients. 
(13) Public awareness campaigns targeting 
women and health care providers will help remove 
many of the barriers to emergency contraception and 
will help bring this important means of pregnancy 
prevention to women in the United States. 
SEC. 3. EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION EDUCATION AND IN-
FORMATION PROGRAMS. 
(a) EMERGENCY
CONTRACEPTION
PUBLIC
EDU-
CATION PROGRAM.— 
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(1) 
IN
GENERAL.—The 
Secretary, 
acting 
through the Director of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, shall develop and dissemi-
nate to the public information on emergency contra-
ception. 
(2) DISSEMINATION.—The Secretary may dis-
seminate information under paragraph (1) directly 
or through arrangements with nonprofit organiza-
tions, consumer groups, institutions of higher edu-
cation, clinics, the media, and Federal, State, and 
local agencies. 
(3) INFORMATION.—The information dissemi-
nated under paragraph (1) shall include, at a min-
imum, a description of emergency contraception and 
an explanation of the use, safety, efficacy, and avail-
ability of such contraception. 
(b) EMERGENCY
CONTRACEPTION
INFORMATION 
PROGRAM FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.— 
(1) 
IN
GENERAL.—The 
Secretary, 
acting 
through the Administrator of the Health Resources 
and Services Administration and in consultation 
with major medical and public health organizations, 
shall develop and disseminate to health care pro-
viders information on emergency contraception. 
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(2) INFORMATION.—The information dissemi-
nated under paragraph (1) shall include, at a min-
imum— 
(A) information describing the use, safety, 
efficacy, and availability of emergency contra-
ception; 
(B) a recommendation regarding the use of 
such contraception in appropriate cases; and 
(C) information explaining how to obtain 
copies of the information developed under sub-
section (a) for distribution to the patients of 
the providers. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) EMERGENCY
CONTRACEPTION.—The term 
‘‘emergency contraception’’ means a drug or device 
(as the terms are defined in section 201 of the Fed-
eral Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321)) 
or a drug regimen that— 
(A) is used postcoitally; 
(B) prevents pregnancy primarily by pre-
venting or delaying ovulation, and does not ter-
minate an established pregnancy; and 
(C) is approved by the Food and Drug Ad-
ministration. 
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(2) HEALTH
CARE
PROVIDER.—The term 
‘‘health care provider’’ means an individual who is li-
censed or certified under State law to provide health 
care services and who is operating within the scope 
of such license. Such term shall include a phar-
macist. 
(3) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the same 
meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 
2010 through 2014. 
Æ 
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