Thank God our County Commissioners are all up in our uteri! /snark. The New Hanover County Commissioners, all men, turned down $8999 of state bonus funds that did not require county matching funds earmarked for the purchase of IUDs by the County Health Department. They unanimously voted that taxpayers' monies shouldn't be used by women who were "irresponsible".
The state of North Carolina encouraged the county Health Departments to use the funds to purchase IUDs which are a more expensive form of birth control, rather than for birth control pills. Some women cannot take "the pill" making the IUD a strong and safe substitute. IUDs can be in place for 5-10 years, depending on which kind is used. Also at issue is the fact that sometimes women forget to take their pill making the IUD a reasonable alternative. But nooooo.....
Commissioner Rick Catlin, who represents commissioners on the county's health board, said Monday he was concerned with information provided from health officials about how the money would be spent.
"The answers that I got were that there were patients that were not being responsible with existing family planning that was being offered and that this would provide a more reliable solution for those people, and I had an issue with that," he said Monday.
Thank you Commissioner Caitlin! Since the meeting on Monday the commissioners have been inundated with phone calls and emails prompting Commissioner Davis to respond:
the county wouldn't be in the situation "if these young women were responsible people and didn't have the sex to begin with."
The backlash is going strong. From the Star News story:
Representatives of Planned Parenthood Health Systems denounced the commissioners' action on Tuesday and called on the all-male board to explain the reasoning behind refusing the funds.
"I think there are so many different kinds of contraceptives available to women now that women should have access to what works best for them, and I think the pill doesn't work the best for everybody," said Suzanne Wertman, a nurse midwife at Planned Parenthood in Wilmington . "Some women have health issues that prevent them from taking the pill. IUD is a fabulous option for some women."
Planned Parenthood in Wilmington also works closely with the county health department to find access to contraceptives and health care for women who can't afford Planned Parenthood's services, she added.
Jonathan Barfield, the lone Dem on the board is seeking a way to revisit the issue.
Meanwhile, a demonstration is planned for 5:30 PM Thursday at the courthouse with our State Representative, Suzi Hamilton, scheduled to speak.
"This is an assault on our women, and I'm not going to stand by and let this go unnoticed," she said.
Thank you Rep. Hamilton, see you tomorrow.