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Sunday 10 July 2011

How The GOP Wants To Force Women To Bear More Children

by Robin M.
http://t.co/DYx0YCQ 
In a new assault on the war on women, Planned Parenthood clinics in New Hampshire are no longer able to offer birth control after the state’s newly elected all Republican “Executive Council” rejected signing a new contract with the group — the first time the contract has not been renewed in
The Concord Monitor reports:
Planned Parenthood had operated under a limited retail pharmacy license that was contingent on having a state contract, said Steve Trombley, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. Two weeks ago, the all-Republican Executive Council voted 3-2 against a new contract that would have provided the organization $1.8 million in state and federal money for the two years starting this month.
Executive Councilor Dan St. Hilaire of Concord, who cast one of the three votes in opposition, said the contract should go to an organization that does not perform abortions. The councilors approved 10 other contracts for family planning services.
The Planned Parenthood New Hampshire clinics are responsible for over half of the patients who’s care is subsidized by the state, and provided contraception for over 13,000 people in the last year, most of whom make below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.  But despite their meager earnings, the Republicans who voted down the contract believe that they should still have enough in the budget somewhere to cover their own birth control, or simply not have sex.  Sex, it appears, is only for those who can afford it.  “If they want to have a good time, why not let them pay for it?” asked executive council member Raymond Wieczorek.
Of course, although this is one of the more dramatic results of defunding and cutting off state contracts to Planned Parenthood, it’s becoming more clear with every effort that the Republicans are not simply trying to “stop money from indirectly funding abortions,” they are trying to force women into a “have sex and have a baby, or don’t have sex ever” situation.  Proof in point?  Florida Republican Congressman Cliff Stearns, who is considering launching a federal investigation of Planned Parenthood based on “research” provided by Americans United for Life.  His other pet issue?  Finding federal funding for crisis pregnancy centers to purchase more ultrasound equipment so they can “assist” women in deciding to carrying their unintended pregnancies to term.
Take money away from birth control, give it to groups that coerce pregnant women into having babies.  How can that be anything other than trying to force more women into bearing children?
Photo credit: PeacoToons

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