Jennifer Granholm writes a compelling response in Politico on the continued push to limit the contraceptive rights of women.
Here’s is an except of the Politico column:
The “war on women” can be measured, in one sense, by the volume of demeaning and physically violating measures that not only force women to undergo procedures against their will, but force doctors to perform procedures that are medically unnecessary.
Virginia may have backed away from the invasive transvaginal ultrasound law, but requiring a standard ultrasound runs contrary to the guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Nine states now mandate this “overreach” of government into a very personal and private decision between a woman and her doctor.
Look, it’s obvious that abortion is the most sensitive of public policy issues. Women deeply understand the wrenching trade-offs they must make in weighing such a personal decision. So, in addition to legislatively forced physical procedures, it should come as no surprise that women are angered by patronizing bills mandating waiting periods or forced “reflection” on images or on text written by legislators — bills that assume women are empty-headed children.
So much for “trusting” the citizens. So much for Republicans as the party of small government.
Consider this: After the election of 2010 that saw Republicans gain control of state Legislatures across the country, more than 1,100 anti-choice laws were introduced in 2011 — a new record. Eighty-three measures have been passed into law. So far in 2012, an additional 430 were introduced. We may break the record again this year.
In some cases, these bills are reaching beyond abortion and right into control over women’s health care in general.
Go here for the full article.
Also, if you missed last week’s Fired Up! check it out below. Jennifer Granholm takes on the latest battle in the ‘War on Women’ with a look at life in America decades ago, in a black and white era where women’s rights were few and far between.
