The worst people in the world? House Republicans, of course. Here's their latest attempt to screw over the American people, but most especially women:
The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday released a fiscal year 2016 funding proposal that, among its many provisions, dismantles the Affordable Care Act, eliminates funding for the Title X family planning program and includes something called the Health Care Conscience Rights Act that is essentially Hobby Lobby on steroids.
Here’s the part of the Labor, Health and Human Services funding bill that would eliminate Title X funding unless the program meets a certain ideological (read: abstinence-focused) criteria:
None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be made available to any entity under title X of the PHS Act unless the applicant for the award certifies to the Secretary that it encourages family participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning services and that it provides counseling to minors on how to resist attempts to coerce minors into engaging in sexual activities.
And here’s the part of the proposal that would let your school or boss determine whether or not your insurance covers contraception or any other form of healthcare they may not like:
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, no provision of this title (and no amendment made by any such provision) shall… require a sponsor (or, in the case of health insurance coverage offered to students through an institution of higher education, the institution of higher education offering such coverage) to sponsor, purchase, or provide any health benefits coverage or group health plan that includes coverage of an abortion or other item or service to which such sponsor or institution, respectively, has a moral or religious objection, or prevent an issuer from offering or issuing to such sponsor or institution, respectively, health insurance coverage that excludes such item or service.
Yes, more unwanted pregnancies, less breast and cervical cancer screenings, more undiagnosed sexually transmitted diseases, and more economic burdens pushed onto the states:
According to a data from the Guttmacher Institute, each dollar invested in Title X saves $3.80 in Medicaid expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth. Another Guttmacher analysis found that the services provided by Kansas’ Title X clinics in 2010 helped save the state more than $61,000,000 in public funds. “That accounts for savings from reduced maternity and birth-related costs, along with reduced costs related to miscarriage and abortion and savings related to [sexually transmitted infection] screening and cervical cancer prevention services,” according to the report.
All I can say is "Brilliant!!!!" (voice in full sarcasm mode)
There are roughly 5 million women who directly benefit from these family planning clinics for obtaining health care services and countless others who depend on the ACA for receiving reproductive health care services. The House Republicans once again are showing how little regard they have for women's health or their right to make decisions about their own healthcare without interference from their employers, health care providers or the higher educational institution they attend. These people's idea of fixing the ACA and our health care system is to make it even worse than it was before the ACA was signed into law. That's their plan.
I'm outraged for my wife, my daughter and all the other women in this country that Republicans continue to spit upon. Not surprised mind you, but outraged nonetheless. The women in this country are treated as second class citizens already. The GOP wants to return to the days where they are essentially the property of the husbands and fathers. Tell me why anyone would believe the bs that Jeb! is putting out about compassionate conservatism? Because I'm not seeing it from anyone in the party he so badly wants to lead.
But hey, don't worry guys. You'll still be able to get your Viagra or Cialis. They aren't messing with your right to have a four hour erection. So there's that.