Contraception is widely considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. The benefits of contraception include improved health and well-being, reduced global maternal mortality, health benefits of pregnancy spacing for maternal and child health, female engagement in the work force, and economic self-sufficiency for women.
Best of all, access to contraception prevents that cherished bugaboo of conservative leaders and Republican politicians. So why are we hearing rumblings that banning contraception may be on the table?
The PEW Research Center reports that some states are already considering it. From the article:
In Missouri, Republican lawmakers are going after the emergency contraception known as Plan B, as well as intra-uterine devices (IUDs).
Idaho state Rep. Brent Crane said he would hold hearings on legislation banning emergency contraceptives and possibly IUDs as well.
A Louisiana House committee passed a bill saying that “human personhood” begins at the point of fertilization, an interpretation that critics say could potentially be used to outlaw Plan B drugs, IUDs and perhaps other forms of birth control.
Even if these state lawmakers are currently regulating certain medications which deal with the implantation of fertilized eggs (an ultra strict definition of pregnancy) these rulings are draconian, with the side effect of making providers and pharmacies reluctant to prescribe these medications which in some instance are life-saving and in others prescribed for several other diseases not associated with reproductive care.
Given the Republican lack of concern for life after birth, it is clear that these initiatives have at their heart a Biblical desire to control women and turn them into baby machines, as well as a careless disregard for their lives.
If we don't want America to turn into another Republic of Gilead from the Handmaid's Tale, we have to come out and vote for Democrats at every level. We hope to see you at the ballot box these midterms to save all women from this oppressive tyrannical vision of an American future.
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