On Thursday the U.S. House of Representatives passed HB 358, or the "Protect Life Act (also known as the "Let Woman Die" bill), with a vote of 251-170. The bill, which will now move to the Senate, allows hospitals that receive federal funding to turn away women seeking an abortion, even if it would save their lives. The bill also doesn't allow federal funding to go to health care plans that cover abortions. This could cause insurance companies to stop covering abortions in order to receive that money, meaning women would have to pay for the procedure out of their own pocket.
Republicans are the main supporters of the bill, saying that it will save the federal government money, and thus the taxpayers. However Democrat counter saying that current laws already "bar any taxpayer money from underwriting abortion procedures." Democrats argue that the law takes rights away from women and Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) says that Republicans are "absolutely misogynists" for even submitting the bill.
Perhaps my favorite comment is by the North Carolina Representative Virginia Foxx (R). Foxx says that the those that are pro-choice are the true misogynists because "fifty percent of the unborn babies being aborted are females." I agree that 50% of babies being aborted are female, after all there is a 50% chance of a child being born female! However I don't agree with the misogynist point. How is misogynistic for women to have the right to chose what happen in their bodies? Also, what happens if the child is male? Is it no longer misogynistic to Foxx?
I absolutely don't agree with the bill. Women are responsible for their bodies and the federal government cannot restrict that. Hopefully the Senate won't pass this bill, and if they do, hopefully Obama will veto it.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/13/politics/health-bill-abort
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/10/12/341070/house-gop-proposes-so-called-let-women-die-bill-that-lets-hospitals-deny-life-saving-care/ion/?hpt=he_c2
Friday, October 14, 2011
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5 comments:
Thank goodness the Senate is democratically controlled. Even if it somehow miraculously passes in the Senate, I'm sure president Obama will veto it in the end. It's totally against his political stance. He's always been pro-choice.
This piece of legislation totally infringes on women's reproductive and just generally personal freedom. To me, allowing hospitals to turn away patients who need abortions (even at life-threatening situations) is completely ridiculous. The government is placing literally unnecessary restrictions on choices us Americans have the freedom to make. Plus I'm really surprised at how many house democrats voted in favor of this bill. Ridiculousness.
I completely agree with Mitchell and Michelle's opinions. ROE v. WADE was passed in 1973 for a reason, and I find it to be extremely annoying how the government and many state's laws are trying to make it nearly impossible to be able to receive an abortion. I really do not understand how people can be so anti choice. If a woman cannot have a child or does not want a child for some reason, that should be respected and protected or else the child is born into the world with an unfair disadvantage. And as for Foxx's comment "..." says enough.
This law is completely sexist. I wonder what the ruling would be if any of the male Senators voting for this law knew the pressure these women face. It completely takes away a woman's right of choice and should be deemed unconstitutional immediately. A woman should be able to do what she wants with her own body. If republicans are looking for a way to end abortions they should be campaigning for safe sex, not taking away a woman's choice. As you can see by supporters comments, they don't seems to be the brightest people and hopefully Americans will see that.
I respect the women’s right to choose what they want to do with their bodies. As a citizen and a taxpayer, they should have access to medical services that are available. The public officials should carefully examine the root cause of the problem. On the other hand, I believe that with freedom there is always a corresponding responsibility. Some women who decide to have a sexual interaction know the possible consequences of that. I think being educated and careful will help avoid any regrets that will come after. In that case, there will be fewer incidents of abortion. Instead of prohibiting women from getting access to medical services, the government should address laws and programs that will promote education and access to contraceptives. Abortion is the right of a woman, but life is also a right of an unborn child. Ignorance and desire for pleasure are not acceptable reasons to end life.
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