Bush plans on making birth control pills 'abortion.'

[Sub Atomic]

Redefining abortion
Federal officials considering a rule allowing health care workers to refuse to provide contraceptives

Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Aug. 10, 2008, 11:15PM

The Bush administration has consistently opposed providing funding for international birth control programs, but until now has not tried to limit the use of contraceptives inside the United States.

That could change in the president's final months in office. Health and Human Services officials are considering a draft regulation that would classify most birth control pills, the Plan B emergency contraceptive and intrauterine devices as forms of abortion because they prevent the development of fertilized eggs into fetuses.

The rule, which does not require congressional approval, would allow health care workers who object to abortion on moral or religious grounds to refuse to counsel women on their birth control options or supply contraceptives. It would forbid more than half a million health agencies nationwide that receive federal funds from requiring employees to provide such services. Pharmacists could use the rule as a justification for refusing to fill birth control prescriptions, and insurance companies could cite it as a basis for declining to cover the costs.

An existing regulation allows health care providers with objections to abortion to abstain from providing it to patients. By extending the definition of abortion to cover contraceptives, federal officials are attempting to create by administrative fiat what would fail by a wide margin in Congress.

In fact, the draft rule could void laws in 27 states that require insurance companies to provide birth control coverage for women requesting it. The rule also could counter laws in 14 states requiring that rape victims receive counseling and access to emergency, day-after contraceptives. It would also require federal agencies and states to provide funds for sham family planning clinics that provide women only abstinence counseling.


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/5935532.html

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I'm utterly speechless. The fucking gall of that pathetic little man.

On edit: added the link.

[saracat]

1. And besides Hillary what major politcal figure is speaking out aginst this?

I think there was another female but no onre else. The Dems are tresting this as a none issue. This is a digrace. We should be protesting this! Planned Parenthod has a petition but I don't see the other groups out there.

[Warpy]

5. I don't think they're consciously making it a nonissue

because the health of half the party is at stake.

I think they just can't quite wrap their heads around the unmitigated gall of the antiwoman religious right in pushing such an outrageous and medically ignorant agenda.

Let's hope they answer the clue phone soon. This is real, guys.

[bdamomma]

2. when is it going to be November or even better Jan 2009.

[peace13]

3. Isn't it sad that we have wished almost a decade away.

When GWB came on the scene I was 41 now almost ten years later I feel like I have been robbed. Don't know how much more backward this country can go. Hate to ask it because I am pretty sure that I am going to see. Peace, Kim

[Javaman]

4. What makes this even more bizarre is...

morons* grandfather, you know the one, he traded with the nazi's and made quite a profit. Anyway, he also help found planned parenthood.

go figure.

[magellan]

6. How far back in time can these misogynist RW cretins take us on the sly

...before virtually every American is negatively affected by one boneheaded move or another?

Guess we'll find out.