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babylonsister

(171,053 posts)
Mon Feb 13, 2012, 03:19 PM Feb 2012

(R)Women Senators Breaking Ranks With Party, Come Out In Favor Of Obama Contraception Rule

Republican Women Senators Breaking Ranks With Party, Come Out In Favor Of Obama Contraception Rule

By Igor Volsky on Feb 13, 2012 at 12:16 pm


While GOP senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has pledged to fight the Obama’s administration’s modified regulation requiring health insurers and busnisses to offer contraception coverage without additional cost sharing, the revised rule “appears to have won over” two of the five Republican women senators.

Sens. Olympia Snowe (ME) and Susan Collins (ME) — both of whom have sponsored legislation requiring insurers to offer contraception benefits in all health plans — are in favor of the new compromise
, which would allow religiously affiliated colleges, universities, and hospitals to avoid providing birth control. Their employees will still receive contraception coverage at no additional cost sharing directly from the insurer:

“It appears that changes have been made that provide women’s health services without compelling Catholic organizations in particular to violate the beliefs and tenets of their faith,” Snowe said in a statement. “According to the Catholic Health Association, the administration ‘responded to the issues {they} identified that needed to be fixed,’ which is what I urged the president to do in addressing this situation.

“While I will carefully review the details of the president’s revised proposal, it appears to be a step in the right direction,” Collins said in a statement. “The administration’s original plan was deeply flawed and clearly would have posed a threat to religious freedom. It presented the Catholic Church with its wide-ranging social, educational, and health care services, and many other faith-based organizations, with an impossible choice between violating their religious beliefs or violating federal regulations. The administration has finally listened to the concerns raised by many and appears to be seeking to avoid the threat to religious liberties posed by its original plan.”


more...

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/02/13/423946/republican-women-senators-breaking-ranks-with-party-come-out-in-favor-of-obama-contraception-rule/
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(R)Women Senators Breaking Ranks With Party, Come Out In Favor Of Obama Contraception Rule (Original Post) babylonsister Feb 2012 OP
Only 98% 1ProudAtheist Feb 2012 #1
Rich white Republican men and ... MarkCharles Feb 2012 #3
Not both, but two out of five Republican US Senators Bandit Feb 2012 #6
I am surprised that Lisa Murkowski isn't on board with this. GoCubsGo Feb 2012 #2
But, they're women...why should we care what they think? pamela Feb 2012 #4
This will ProSense Feb 2012 #5
Very cool malaise Feb 2012 #7
K & R Scurrilous Feb 2012 #8
GOPers Kelly Ayotte, Lisa Murkowski, Kay Bailey Hutchinson Tx4obama Feb 2012 #9
k&DUrec JTFrog Feb 2012 #10
 

1ProudAtheist

(346 posts)
1. Only 98%
Mon Feb 13, 2012, 03:28 PM
Feb 2012

of all women, and both female US Senators are in favor of the President's contraception plan. Who exactly is it that is opposed to it?

 

MarkCharles

(2,261 posts)
3. Rich white Republican men and ...
Mon Feb 13, 2012, 03:40 PM
Feb 2012

supposedly celibate Catholic leaders. (there are no women in leadership roles in the Catholic church).

GoCubsGo

(32,078 posts)
2. I am surprised that Lisa Murkowski isn't on board with this.
Mon Feb 13, 2012, 03:34 PM
Feb 2012

I have a feeling she might be, and Hutchinson, too. I saw elsewhere that the twit from NH won't join them. Sad.

pamela

(3,469 posts)
4. But, they're women...why should we care what they think?
Mon Feb 13, 2012, 04:22 PM
Feb 2012

I'd much rather hear what the old, white guys think about this issue. In fact, I was thinking that the next production of "The Vagina Monologues" should be an all-male production.


Tx4obama

(36,974 posts)
9. GOPers Kelly Ayotte, Lisa Murkowski, Kay Bailey Hutchinson
Mon Feb 13, 2012, 08:10 PM
Feb 2012

From the link in the OP...

SNIP

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), who led the GOP’s opposition to the original rule, has yet to issue a statement on the measure and did not respond to ThinkProgress’ query about her position. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) also did not respond. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) co-sponsored a 1999 bill requiring contraception equity in insurance coverage and has not yet to weigh in on the current debate.

UPDATE:
Ayotte tells the Washington Post’s Greg Sargent that she still opposes Obama’s proposal:

“The president’s proposal leaves religious institutions vulnerable to federal coercion. This debate has always been about religious freedom. As I fight for a full repeal of Obamacare, I will continue to push for a legislative solution that protects conscience rights.”



So far only Ayotte (of the five GOP female senators) is siding with the male GOPers.
My prediction is that IF Murkowski were to say something she will side with Collins and Snowe (she normally come out on the correct side regarding women's issues)
And as far as Hutchinson she will probably not say anything one way or the other.

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