On Tuesday, the senate passed a bill that would stir up many
arguments. The senate passed a bill that would ban insurers from covering
abortion. Apparently, now “under SB 575, private health insurance plans and
those offered through the federal Affordable Care Act’s marketplace could only
provide coverage for abortions in cases of medical emergencies”. Abortion
rights has always had a conflict with religion, naturally. However, church and
state should remain separate, and I feel as if this bill has a religious motive.
I mean, why else would one create a bill that would furthermore cripple an individual’s
right to have an abortion.
After Republican state Senator Larry Taylor had passed this
bill, he was questioned as to “not knowing how much supplemental insurance for
abortion coverage would cost and questioned why the bill did not include an
exception for abortions in cases of rape or incest”. I mean…was there any thought
being put into this? These are simple questions we would all like to know the
answers to.
While this bill doesn't come out and state its religious
motives, in my eyes, they are quite evident. Let me explain. An abortion is a perfectly
legal medical procedure if I am not mistaken. Not only are there medical
reasons ones might have to partake in an abortion, but financial as well. So
what possible logical reasoning could there be on this bill, for anyone in
their right mind to pass it or even support it. Come on now people.
I generally try not to assume religious conviction for these kinds of laws, even if they do align with common religious reasoning, just due to it not actually being included in the legislation. Saying that proposed legislation is religious leaning serves as a red herring and distracts from what the legislation really wants to accomplish and doesn't offer any counter argument for it.
ReplyDeleteI feel like these kind of decisions should be left to insurance agencies and not up to government regulation. Even then, I would prefer insurance agencies cover the costs as pregnancy can be life threatening and cost quite the pretty penny.
In no other instance but abortion do we force someone to save another person's life. If I had the only kidney that could save governor Abbot's life, it would be illegal for the state to force me to give up my kidney or any organ to save his life. Granted choosing not to give up my kidney requires no medical procedure. As controversial as abortion is, I do feel like it really does come down to whether or not we can force someone to give up their own health to save another person.
Why would anyone begin to think that controlling or even determining the decision for a female to have or not to have a child is beyond me. In Texas, we are already faced with different laws that deal with abortion and the controversy that comes with it. As a female I find it quite disturbing to think that there is a group of individuals who basically believe they can play "God" by either a) making abortions flat out illegal or b) banning insurance agencies from covering abortions. This, of course, just so happens to be our very own senate.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading my colleague Kim Hernandez's blog Banning Insures From Covering Abortion I discovered that, indeed, the Senate has recently passed a bill for not allowing insurance agencies to cover or even just help the costs that come along with abortions. Hernandez stated that "apparently, now “under SB 575, private health insurance plans and those offered through the federal Affordable Care Act’s marketplace could only provide coverage for abortions in cases of medical emergencies”. " So basically, the only way an insurance company will help the costs, is if you are in critical condition that could potentially cost your life. That doesn't include if you have been raped, which blows my mind. Hernandez also cleared the water by stating who passed this bill, Larry Taylor , and acknowledging him as a "Republican". - Typical.
Overall Hernandez did her research concerning this bill and all the terrible decisions made behind it. I agree with what she is arguing and think that every person - we are people, not pets - has the right to determine the outcome of their life. Get a hamster Taylor, you are better off controlling him than the females in Texas.
Ms. Hernandez's article about insurance covering abortion was interesting. Women's healthcare is a hot topic in Texas government. Law makers have gotten creative in limiting women's access to abortions and women have lost more and more of their reproductive rights. This isn't just an issue in Texas. Many other states have similar bans, restricting women's access to abortions and limiting control of their lives.
ReplyDeleteWhether or not abortion should be covered on insurance should be an issue left to the insurance provider and handled in the same way any other medical issue would be addressed. Women would be able to choose insurance based on their own personal needs, regardless of the beliefs of their workplace, state, doctor or current healthcare provider.
Maybe it's time to start looking at the root causes of many of the reasons for abortion.
Some women choose abortion for financial reasons. It's a sad reality that not everyone can afford to raise a child, even a wanted child. It might be a good idea to socialize childcare. Offering free childcare would make it much more affordable for families to raise their children. Of course that isn't the only expense to consider in raising a child, but it would take the focus off of finances.
Some women choose to have an abortion because they are not prepared to have or raise a child. They should not be forced to endure a pregnancy they don't feel ready for, regardless of their personal reasons. If they do decide to go through the pregnancy, they should have their medical needs taken care of and a secure family placement for their child. This would help many women who are pregnant decide whether or not to carry the pregnancy to term based on their personal needs instead of fearing for the well-being of the child.
Some women choose to have an abortion because their child will be born with severe medical issues. Those are some of the saddest cases, because there is not much than can be done other than offer palliative care to the newborn and counseling to the family. In these cases, it seems like the most humane option is to abort as soon as they know the fetus cannot survive.
To the people who are actually concerned about abortion and would like to see it become rare, please consider supporting comprehensive sex ed classes in high schools and public classes that inform people on their contraception options. Help make those contraceptive options available to all who need them.
Don't limit women's access to medical care. We have a right to chose what happens to our bodies.
If you need any more reasons to keep abortion as available as possible, read Abortion Wars or The Story of Jane