‘Pro-Life’ Alaska GOP Kills Health Bill To Insure Thousands Of Low-Income Women

[cal04]

‘Pro-Life’ Alaska GOP Kills Health Bill To Insure Thousands Of Low-Income Women And Children
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/04/16/alaksa-bill-women-children-abortion/

On Wednesday, the Alaska Senate shot down a health bill that would expand a program that provides medical services to the low-income children and pregnant women. The 14-year-old program, Denali Kid Care, is specifically “designed to ensure that children and teens of both working and non-working families can have the health insurance they need.” The bill seeks to “restore the original income eligibility threshold established more than a decade ago, raising it from the current 175 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty line” — a move that bill sponsor State Sen. Bettye Davis (D) said would cover nearly 1,300 more children and about 250 pregnant women. But the bill — which passed the Senate last year 15 to 4 — failed this year. The obstacle? A woman’s right to choose.

The Alaska Supreme Court holds that the state must fund medically necessary abortions if it funds medically necessary services for others with financial needs. The mere possibility that a woman could have even a “medically necessary” abortion under this health insurance program was enough for Republicans to stall the bill in a 10 to 10 vote:

– Abortion was a key issue in floor debate Wednesday. Sen. Fred Dyson, R-Eagle River, said he believes the Senate has shown a propensity for standing up for children and families but that he in good conscience could not vote for a bill that would help some but also result in abortions.

– “I think there are just a lot of unknowns about what is ‘medically necessary,’ what is considered an abortion,” said Sen. Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage), who did not support the bill.

[sakabatou]

1. When someone says they're pro-life

they only care about the fetus. After they're out, they don't give a shit about them.

[MH1]

3. I personally think most don't really care about the fetus.

It's really about controlling women. Preventing women from controlling their own lives and perhaps being able to <gasp!> be independent of a man.

[dana_b]

2. if I said what I'm thinking right now

I would put a sailor to shame.

I am sending this to my Republican friend in Alaska who claims to be socially liberal and she what she says about it.

[DCKit]

6. While you're at it...

Ask her, as well, how much she's willing to pay for the kids who won't be prevented by birth control (condoms and the pill), or those who will be deemed "special needs" because their mothers didn't receive prenatal care. After all, those services are 97% of the budget.

Those regressives are such a hoot.

[dana_b]

7. exactly. She is for social programs but

doesn't want to pay for them. :crazy:

[DCKit]

8. Far less expensive than the alternatives. Morans.

That's why they're called "social programs". The tend to benefit society.

[OHdem10]

4. The War of the Haves against the Have Nots wages on and

Haves are winning.

[madrchsod]

5. alaska has a miserable record on women`s health issues and...

now it will be as bad as a third world country.

[jwirr]

9. haven't they heard - us low income mothers do not get abortions

We just keep having kids so we can collect welfare. :sarcasm: