Should Minors Be Able to Buy the Morning-After Pill Over the Counter?

The federal government will no longer oppose the sale of emergency contraception to minors over the counter after receiving further criticism from women's rights groups when they appealed a judge's decision last week.

According to CNN, the Obama Administration drop its appeal of U.S. District Judge Edward Korman's April ruling that the government should allow over-the-counter sale of the morning-after pill to minors.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services will allow a one-pill version of the medicine, known as Plan B One-Step, to be sold "without age or point-of-sale restrictions," according to CNN. The drug company will have to submit a new application for this type of sale, according to the Associated Press.

According to the AP, the morning-after pill contains a larger dose of progestin—a female hormone—than what is in birth control pills. If the emergency contraception is taken within 72 hours of a contraception failure or a rape, it reduces the chances of a pregnancy by 89 percent. If the girl is already pregnant, the pill has no effect.

Both ends of the spectrum are debating this issue. Supporters say this will provide young girls with an option regardless of their socioeconomic status or whether or not they have healthcare. However, opponents believe the drugs' higher dose of hormones can adversely affect the health of young girls.

So what do you think? Should the morning-after pill be made available to minors? Tell us in the comments.