Redefining Rape and Block Access to Care through Economics

[karadinart]

The "No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act"> would redefine rape:

"As of now, federal dollars cannot be used for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the woman's life is in danger.

The Smith bill would narrow that use to 'cases of 'forcible' rape but not statutory or coerced rape.'" Other types of rapes that would no longer be covered by the exemption include rapes in which the woman was drugged or given excessive amounts of alcohol, rapes of women with limited mental capacity, and many date rapes. "There are a lot of aspects of rape that are not included," Levenson says. As for the incest exception, the bill would only allow federally funded abortions if the woman is under 18.

The bill also "makes it difficult for women to obtain abortion coverage from their private insurance companies by eliminating tax exemptions for employers or individuals who purchase health insurance plans that offer coverage for abortion.

Read more:

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/01/republican-plan-redefine-rape-abortion
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/dem-rep-opens-up-on-rape-redefining-bill.php?ref=fpa

MoveOn.org's petition opposing it:
http://pol.moveon.org/smithbill/?r_by=25965-5910888-nwQvSCx&rc=mailto

Comments

[eclatc4t.livejournal.com]

thank you, again, for bringing more attention to important events people should know about.
as a MoveOn member and a politically active person, i have of course signed everything and called everyone i can think of.

this, from the party that made American a nation that tortures.

we need to be aware, men and women, so we can stand up and push back on this hateful and depressing attack on womens' fundamental rights and humanity.

thank you.

[goodbyemyfancy.livejournal.com]

We have the constant problem of our minority conservative govt trying to bring back laws against abortion, even though they are legal in our country.

Talk about bringing women's health rights down yet again ...

[karadin.livejournal.com]

Yep. It would be one thing if conservatives practiced the 'protection of the unborn' after they were born, but they also cut aid to women and children, and try to cut any benefit to women and children, so their care cuts off, pretty much, as soon as they are born.

And of course, they don't advocate contraceptives either.