contraception is not abortion

[rm]

It is hard to know what to say about the latest misogynistic insanity from the Department of Health and Human Services.

I could tell you I've had an abortion or been on the pill and talk about what it means to live and die a child in the eyes of the law, even if we can vote and own property in these oh so progressive days.

Instead I'm going to leave it at this:

While good science isn't always great policy, bad science is NEVER good policy, adequate policy or acceptable policy.

Policy and law changes that erroneously classify common birth control methods as abortion reduce women to chattel, will increase rates of unwanted pregnancy and will, in particular, put the health of poor women at risk. Additionally, these changes provide no mode for women to certify that they are not pregnant, effectively baring us from getting complete medical care that we direct and meets our own, personal ethical standards.

This is what it feels like to be a woman: I am always the future and yet never exist.

Details from others:

http://melebeth.livejournal.com/1091553.html (locked, trying to see if she'll change that)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/washington/15rule.html
http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2008/07/15/hhs-moves-define-contraception-abortion
http://raaven.livejournal.com/550309.html

Comments

[raaven.livejournal.com]

The more I think about this, the worse it gets. If this goes through, any medical facilities who receive federal funding will be hamstringed. That means any docs offices that accept Medicaid or Medicare, as well as publicly funded stuff like free clinics and Planned Parenthood.

Also, it's not a huge leap of imagination or logic that the next step will be barring women (who can't prove they aren't pregnant) from receiving ANY meds or treatment that might damage a fetus. Barring women from buying or consuming alcohol. Cigarettes. Hair dye. Etc, etc, ad nauseum.

I am horrified.

[rihani.livejournal.com]

Also, it's not a huge leap of imagination or logic that the next step will be barring women (who can't prove they aren't pregnant)

There'd be no way to prove you aren't pregnant though. If we're going on fertilization, we're fucked, there's NO WAY to prove a pregnancy until implantation. Because it's NOT A PREGNANCY YET. Argh. Sorry for yelling. I'm frustrated and angry and terrified.

Also, I love your icon. :-)

[raaven.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Don't sweat the yelling, I'm right there with ya.

And thank you. I swiped it from someone ages ago...it is credited to one jaig.

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

Yes, this. It is a slippery slope, and it's evil. This is why they gave Henry Morgentaler the Order of Canada and why he was a hero to me even when I was anti-abortion. Because WOMEN ARE HUMAN, and we are still fighting to prove it.

[raaven.livejournal.com]

Because WOMEN ARE HUMAN, and we are still fighting to prove it.

Every. FUCKING. Day.

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

I'd say make him the next Governor-General. And we could do it, too.