Archive for January, 2009
Interesting Article on Time.com
January 29th, 2009 by adminThere is an interesting article on Time.com about the family planning aspects of the stimulus package that were removed. Obama reportedly made the request to House Democrats to remove the provision as a concession to the GOP. But, the bill passed the house with NO GOP votes.
The Time Magazine article gives a good explanation of the Medicaid exception that was being requested:
What would the Medicaid provision have done?
Before Obama took office, a group of health organizations including the March of Dimes sent memos to his transition aides asking for a change in federal policy to alter a Bush-era Medicaid policy. Current law does not allow women of child-bearing age (15-44) to become eligible for Medicaid coverage until after they become pregnant or if they have children who are enrolled in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). States that want to expand their Medicaid coverage to allow low-income women to access family planning services must first obtain a federal waiver.
The provision originally included in the stimulus package would have eliminated the waiver requirement, allowing states to directly access Medicaid funds for family planning services that do not involve abortion.
But I do have two criticisms of the article.
1. Why is the photo at the top a person handing out condoms? That EXACTLY what the anti-choicers were saying about the bill, and it’s wrong. The stimulus package was NOT asking for condoms to be handed out on the streets.
2. At the end of the article, it says, “As one progressive policy analyst noted, inserting the Medicaid provision into the stimulus package ‘was kind of like bringing up marriage on the third date. You know it’s going to come up eventually, so why start a fight at the very beginning before you’ve gotten anywhere?“‘. Who said that? And does anyone else find that to be an offensive comment? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Ask President Obama to Stand Up for Family Planning
January 28th, 2009 by adminThe stimulus plan passed today, but without the family planning element. We need to express our disappointment to President Obama.
Call the White House comment line at 202-456-1111. Tell the operator you have a comment about the stimulus plan and you’ll be transferred to a White House staff member. Let them know that you are disappointed in Obama’s failure to stand up for women’s health.
You can also email the president at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ or write them at:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Obama to drop family-planning from stimulus as GOP concession
January 27th, 2009 by adminPresident Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package has been finalized and it does not include an important family planning provision.
The provision would have allowed states to offer family planning services under Medicaid — including contraceptives — without first seeking the permission of the Federal government.
Providing family planning to low-income women is just good public policy — and also a good way to reduce the number of abortions performed. Some House Republicans (and some House Democrats) just don’t get how preventing unwanted pregnancies is important to the economy. It’s very simple, if you accidentally get pregnant, you may not be able to go to work, or get a job, or keep your job. This affects not only women, but children as well. As many low-income families are led by women, it’s important that women are able to control when and if they have children.
The family planning provision represented less than a quarter of a percent of the total stimulus package, but Republicans made a stand on the issue.
If only our side would consistently make a stand on women’s health. Instead, women’s health was used as a bargaining chip. We are disappointed Mr. President.
