Arkansas Rep. Thinks Single Moms Need A 'Contraceptive Incentive'

[DonViejo]

A Republican lawmaker in Arkansas introduced a bill this month that would create a "contraceptive incentive" for unmarried women on Medicaid who need time to "think about their life decisions that are affecting us as taxpayers," according to a report from RH Reality Check.

State Rep. Kim Hammer's (R) [link:ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/2015/Public/HB1868.pdf|bill] would allow Medicaid to reimburse single women with one child for a "surgically implanted contraceptive device," such as an intrauterine device, or other form of birth control that would remain effective for five years.

"Often young people make decisions and they get a sense that they don’t want to make that decision again for a while. We need to give them a little bit of a breather to think about their life decisions that are affecting us as taxpayers," Hammer said when he introduced the bill, according to the Arkansas News.

Hammer previously supported a bill that would ban abortion after 20 weeks.

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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/arkansas-gop-contraception-poor-women

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I know an Arkansas woman on Medicaid that received an IUD several

years ago after having 2 children by 2 men within 10 months of each other. It was highly recommended by the state.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. A little odd, but I guess it's a step forward for a Republican?

Not be be in favour of simply having women unable to get any form of contraceptive.

Now if he could move forward simply to free contraceptives for everyone that wants them?

[jwirr]

8. I agree with you but I can tell you exactly what the Rs are thinking: It has to be an implanted

device because they either forget or are to drunk - to take the pill. To the Rs we women need to be led around by the hand like children.

I can also tell him that those single mothers are not worrying about taxpayers overly much. Find a better reason for not wanting another child.

[Lancero]

3. What's sad is that this is a improvement...

Over the standard Republican, since they want to ban all birth control.

[get the red out]

4. But I thought Reps

despised birth control?

[yellowcanine]

6. And in particular, IUDs because many Repubs think they cause abortions.

It was a big part of Hobby Lobby's case. They didn't want to pay for IUDs because they believed they caused abortions, even thought the scientific evidence says that IUDs generally work by preventing fertilization. But the SCOTUS ruled in their favor anyway, based on their mistaken Religious based belief. So basically if your religious objection is based on thinking something works a certain way, even though it actually doesn't work that way - you get the exemption based on the fact that you believe it to be so.

[gollygee]

5. How about just healthcare, and an end to anti-choice legislation?

That would probably help, and without treating grown women like children.

[winter is coming]

7. Better yet, have Medicaid cover OCs for women and girls for contraceptive purposes.

Why wait until the woman already has a child, if you believe access to effective contraception would reduce unplanned pregnancies?

[Panich52]

9. Just what I was going to reply. Much better to try and prevent that 1st 'taxpayer burden' he's

worried about.

[Vinca]

10. A baby step forward. No pun intended.

I wonder if she's aware of the large number of people in her party who view IUDs as mini abortion factories. If all women who wanted birth control could get it for free the number of abortions in this country would plummet. Rep. Hammer should be reminded that providing free or affordable birth control is the first mission of Planned Parenthood.