Bush Administration Launches Another Unwinnable War–Against Contraception

It’s amazing how timely the questions I asked BlogHer to ask Obama and McCain campaign representatives during a special session were (questions that were not asked by the way). Here are the questions I submitted to BlogHer:

• I want a straight answer about whether they feel contraception is a health care right of women?
• How should the right to patient care be balanced with the right to refuse care?
• Do they know the rate of contraception use among sexually active women? (90%)
• What is the difference between the so called “morning after pill” and the so called “abortion pill?” What is their stance on sex education in public schools?

Am I psychic or what? It’s like I knew about the religious right bullshit coming down from the Bush Administration before it even happened–their parting salvo to the women of America if you will. In fact, I’m just going to quit mincing words and call the legislation presented by Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt what it is–a big “fuck you” to the women of America and the men who love them. If Leavitt and the rest of the Bush Administration get their way, women will have have no idea whether or not they can get birth control from their medical provider without asking. Not only that, but the proposed legislation would overrule state laws which require employers to offer contraception along with other prescriptions as well as state laws that require hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims. From US News:

It would prohibit federally funded medical facilities—including teaching hospitals and Planned Parenthood clinics—from refusing to hire doctors who don’t want to dispense birth control pills and other types of contraception that may cause the expulsion of a fertilized egg. (It’s already illegal to discriminate against doctors who refuse to perform abortions.)

The excuse Leavitt and Florida Representative Dave Weldon, a supporter of the legislation, give for throwing up additional obstacles to access to contraception is to protect and expand the “conscientious refusal” rights of health care providers. No one is fooled by their feigned concern for the rights of health care professionals–their goal is to redefine contraception in medical and legislative terms so that access to it becomes more difficult and more unfertilized eggs are saved. So logical! By putting the rights of health care providers BEFORE their patients, a practice that seems to violate the ethical oaths most health care providers take upon entering their profession, the government is telling women, that once again, their rights to control their own bodies is secondary to the rights of others.

Why on earth do some people think unfertilized eggs inherently have more rights than than the women who produce them? Explain the logic to me? And men, why are you not outraged as well? Now your sexual partner is at the mercy of the values of her health care providers. Her first question to a new doctor will have to be “Do you prescribe contraception?” Actually, many of us already have to do that. If you live in Reno and are insured through St. Mary’s, your employer is required to provide an alternate prescription plan for contraception because they refuse to cover it. This legislation would put an end to that. Men will still get their Viagra because impotence is a medical problem–continual pregnancy is just a biological reality. Nevada’s decimated state social services should cope with the thousands of additional babies born because womens’ access to birth control was FURTHER restricted very well, and that’s just what will happen locally.

One thing I know for sure–this is another war the Bush Administration will lose. Women are voting Republicans who have and continue to trample on their health care rights out of office. Oh, the times, they are a changing, and I can’t wait to send this bunch out of office with their hands covering their crotches.

Secretary Leavitt’s proposed legislation goes against the opinion of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee Opinion as read here: “The Limits of Conscientious Refusal in Reproductive Health.” You can read
Secretary Michael Leavitt’s response to the ACOG here.

Similar Posts:

• I’m a Feminist (but, no but!)
• Lame Duck Bush Quacks Big Time
• Undecided Voters, Women’s Issues, and the Feminist Majority

---

Enjoy this post? Leave a comment below or subscribe to my feed. You also can sign up for email delivery by clicking here.

Subscribe via RSS or Email

Click the icon to subscribe. You know you want to.

Reno and Its Discontents Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved · A Reno Fabulous Media Production · Powered by WordPress and ElegantBlue