May 18, 2011

 

ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF WOMEN FOR POLITICAL POINTS

“Disrespecting woman, disrespecting their choice, and their right to choose what’s best for them”

MADISON, WI – Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), Senate Ranking Member of the Joint Finance Committee, tore apart efforts by her Republican colleagues to impose big government into women’s health care choices.  Senator Taylor stated that this legislation is “disrespecting woman, disrespecting their choice, and their right to choose what’s best for them” .   The Republican majority today prohibited family planning money from flowing to organizations that provide cervical cancer screenings or pap smears, among others, because they may perform or provide referrals to pregnancy terminations. In addition, Republicans rejected an amendment to clarify that victims of rape and incest would be able to receive pregnancy terminations if they chose to do so under their constitutional rights. 

Taylor noted the negative impact this will have on the health care access for rural women and women of color. “This disproportionately impacts women of color and low-income women in Wisconsin, many of whom don’t have access to private insurance.”  Taylor went onto to ask of the committee, “How will these uninsured women cover the costs of cancer? Where will they go to ensure early detection and a greater likelihood of survival if cancer is detected? This is another direct assault on the freedom of a woman’s choice.”  Wisconsin, especially Milwaukee, leads the nation in STD rates, and today’s action would further limit access to woman’s healthcare needs.