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) 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.
H/t ThinkProgress
No mention of reversible vasectomies for men on Medicaid? One might think that the Rep. is a misogynist angry white male.
“surgically implanted contraceptive device,” ??? (It’s a simple office procedure-- not a ‘surgical’ procedure . Republicans seem to need to inject fear into everything)
…or women could just swallow the damned things along with a teeny tiny camera.
Planned ParentHood!?? what a concept!
“contraceptive incentive”
Yeah it’s called Republican men - the ultimate incentive for birth control.
I actually think this is a pretty good idea, but for very different reasons than Hammer. It would allow poor moms to have access to more effective forms of birth control and they could do so for free. I’m sure there are plenty of women who’d much rather have an IUD than other far less expensive, less effective methods. Plus, there are a lot of women who simply can’t take the pill because of the side effects. At the end of the day, imo, anything that expands women’s access to birth control is ultimately a good thing.
ETA: Oh, and how hilarious is it that this guy is so far right that he’s actually advocating for left wing legislation.
Holy Hobby Lobby! Government paying for contraceptives, or encouraging/requiring employers to do so? Expect to see this Rep walk back his suggestion soon.