Stimulus and Contraceptives, Explained

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_01/016613.php

STIMULUS AND CONTRACEPTIVES.... House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) appeared on "Meet the Press" yesterday, complaining about a proposed stimulus package. He noted, in particular, a proposal to spend "over $200 million for contraceptives." He asked, "How will this fix an ailing economy?"

Apparently, the contraceptives proposal has become quite an issue for conservatives. It was the lead story on Drudge this morning, far-right blogs are all worked up, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was quizzed on the spending on ABC yesterday.

What's this all about? Are Democrats trying to spend "over $200 million" on condoms? What's the story?

As you might have guessed, it's not quite as scandalous as conservatives would have you believe.

{T}he family-planning program that Pelosi supports expanding in the stimulus bill was created in 1972 under the leadership of Republican president Richard Nixon.

What's being proposed is an expansion in the number of states that can use Medicaid money, with a federal match, to help low-income women prevent unwanted pregnancies. Of the 26 states that already have Medicaid waivers for family planning, eight are led by Republican governors (AL, FL, MS, SC, CA, LA, MN and RI -- a ninth, MO, had a GOP governor until this past November). If this policy is truly a taxpayer gift to "the abortion industry," as John Boehner and House Republicans claim, where are the GOP governors promising to end the program in their states?

Additionally, the process of obtaining a waiver for Medicaid family-planning coverage is extremely cumbersome. A letter written by Wisconsin health regulators in 2007 noted that some states have had to wait for as long as two years before their request was approved. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that eliminating the waiver requirement would save states $400 million over 10 years.

It's likely that Boehner, Drudge, and others hope that they can simply say, "Democrats want to spend $200 million of your money on contraceptives" and the howls will be so loud, the money will be stripped from the spending bill. As is too often the case, they're assuming the public won't hear, or care about, the details.

—Steve Benen 1:45 PM

[BlooInBloo]

1. With a title like that, it's just GOTTA be a hawt night!

:rofl:

[babylonsister]

3. Hey, boner started it. nt

[Avalux]

2. But it's promoting abortion!

At least that's what Tony Perkins said on CNN this morning. They gave him a platform to speak outrageously about the funding; stating that Obama and those who support it don't care about the sanctity of life and want women to have abortions.

To him, the words "family planning" = abortion.

I was disgusted that he was able to sit there for about 10 minutes and spew garage, unchallenged.

[babylonsister]

5. That's why I thought some context would be nice. Despite what

the rethugs and conservatives are saying, that's not at all what they're trying to do. Someone in the m$m needs to be honest and slap these people down.

[Avalux]

11. They aren't doing it though. At least if the talking head won't do it -

have another person sitting there with Perkins to refute what he's saying.

[babylonsister]

12. Yes, I noticed that on m$nbc.

Chris Van Hollen was interviewed earlier about this, and he was lamer than lame. Couldn't come up with a reason why this should be included in the bill basically. So I'm not getting my hopes up. Maybe this add-on was done intentionally so they could look gracious in withdrawing it.

[NickB79]

4. Tim Pawlenty, MN, is one of those governors

He is supposedly one of the up-and-coming Republicans, and was almost picked as McCain's VP because of his conservative credentials :puke:

Oh the irony.

[napi21]

6. OK, what am I missing here? Contraceptives PREVENT unwanted

pregnancies, therefore PREVENTING ABORTIONS! I realize there are SOME drwers who disapprove of ANY intervention in the production process, but they are a SMALL MINORITY! Boner and Drudge are being idiots AGAIN!

[obiwan]

7. Contraceptives= Less Abortions= Less Mouths To Feed

Makes sense to me.

"Boner" needs to get a life. And a blowjob.

[Warren DeMontague]

9. Yeah, but that's because you're not a part of the Republican base.

They aren't interested in fewer abortions so much as they fantasize about stopping all the non-procreative fucking that makes Jeeebus angry.

[Warren DeMontague]

8. It's time for us to call the right on their true agenda, which is anti-contraception.

They want to outlaw the pill just as badly as they want to outlaw abortion. It's all part of the same mix.

[guitar man]

10. I'd rather spend $200 million on condoms

than $200 billion on aid programs for the children of unplanned pregnancy. Logic dictates that it could be money well spent. But then again, logic and right wing fundies have never been close allies. :eyes: