Women everywhere should be outraged...

[one_voice]

I don't understand how any of this is legal. Why are they allowed to FORCE a woman to have a procedure done? Isn't that some kind of civil rights violation? Or assault? And posting info online...I must be stupid cuz I don't see how it's legal..any of it. :wtf:



Oklahoma Is At It Again: State Legislature Passes Bill Stripping Abortion Coverage From Health Insurance


As ThinkProgress has reported, many far-right members of the Oklahoma legislature have made denying women rights a full-time mission. What the legislature has done in recent weeks:

– Both the House and the Senate passed a law mandating the collection of personal details about every single abortion performed in the state, which will then be posted on a public website.


– The legislature overrode the governor’s veto of an ultrasound mandate, which requires that doctor’s show women seeking an abortion ultrasounds of their babies and “describe the size of the fetus and any viewable organs and limbs. There are no exceptions for rape or incest.” The law also “limits who can do the ultrasound and which technology can be used — issues lawmakers are ill-equipped to decide.”

– The legislature also overrode the governor’s veto of a measure to prevent women from filing “wrongful life” lawsuits against “doctors who withhold information about a fetus or pregnancy that could cause a woman to seek an abortion.”

Yesterday, the Oklahoma House was at it again, this time passing a bill (HB 3290) by a 70-21 vote to bar private insurance companies from covering abortion. From the legislation:

No health plan, including health insurance contracts, plans or policies, offered outside of the state Exchange, but within the state, shall provide coverage for elective abortions except by optional separate supplemental coverage for abortion for which there must be paid a separate premium in accordance with subsection D of this act.

The bill does provide “exceptions in cases of rape and incest or to prevent the death of the mother.” Rep. Skye McNiel (R), the author of the legislation, said that it was simply meant to “ban state insurance exchanges created under the recently signed federal health care legislation from covering abortion procedures.” However, several legislators — including a Republican Rep. Doug Cox, who is also a doctor — spoke out against what the House was doing:

“This bill is nothing but pure politics so people can go home and stand up and beat their chests and say, ‘I voted against abortion of any type,’” Cox said. “You’re going to be trampling on some people who are good Christian people who are against abortion, but when it comes to one of these sad, terribly sad, freaks of nature that happen, you’re going to be punishing those good Christian people who are against abortion except in these cases.”

As CAP’s Jessica Arons has pointed out, making women purchase a separate abortion “rider” — as this legislation does — is discriminatory and requires women “to plan for a completely unexpected event.” Similarly, Rep. Jeannie McDaniel (D), who also voted against the bill, read a letter from a doctor who said that it’s unfair to require women to purchase special abortion coverage in advance because “a medically necessary termination of pregnancy is something that no family plans for or anticipates.” According to Cox, paying for abortion without insurance could cost a woman $10,000.

Oklahoma joins other states such as Arizona, Mississippi, and Tennessee in prohibiting insurers from offering abortion coverage in state exchanges, even if it’s paid for with private dollars.

State Sen. Steve Russell (R) recently tried to justify the abortion-reporting bill by saying, “This is not about women. It is about children in the womb deserving a life that got created.” The fact that lawmakers like Russell are leaving women’s interests out of the equation underscores the problem of what’s going on in Oklahoma.

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/05/13/oklahoma-abortion-insurance/

[babylonsister]

1. When a majority of the state legislature passes it,

who is left to argue? They're supposed to be representing the people. Pathetic, isn't it.

I imagine it could go to a higher court and be struck down, similar to what I hope happens with the immigration bill. :shrug:

[Triana]

13. women aren't people

not to these neanderthals.

[Kalyke]

70. It will get stricken because of the first issue, alone.

Collecting personal identifiable health care information and posting it on a public site is a violation of HIPAA, which is a federal regulation.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) exact stiff penalties for failing to secure protected health information (PHI); however, meeting a compliance audit checklist is not the best approach to reducing risk and preventing a breach.

http://www.sses.net/industry-solutions/healthcare/

(Disclosure: That's my company's website - I wrote that. But, it does prove that I know what I'm talking about. :) )

Even if the woman's name is not published, if they publish enough information that allows a reader to identify the woman, then they can exact fines that are pretty steep. If the legislature or health department KNOWINGLY discloses personal identifiable information (PII), then the fine is $50,00 and a misdemeanor charge. If the do using false pretenses, the fine is $100,000 and up to five years in prison. If they do in for commercial advantage, personal gain or MALICIOUSNESS (which this would be), the fine is $250,000 and up to 10 years in prison.

Go for Oklahoma and see how fast you get popped for violating HIPAA laws.

[louis-t]

2. How's that small governmenty thingy workin' for ya?

And if the higher courts overrule? They will be called 'activist'.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. What those people are doing should be criminal.

I find it incomprehensible that these Neanderthals are running the show.

They must be trying to outdo each other on who is more "pro-life" and to hell with the women caught in the crosshairs.

I wonder what will happen once a woman close to these idiots gives birth to a terminally defective child.

[Angry Dragon]

4. I find these kind of things fasinating

Women carry within them the hopes and dreams of the future. Without them the human race would cease to exist. Yet at the same time men do not feel women are equal to men.

It has to be a power thing. Men like this must feel that they are weak and then must show how macho they are.

[Deep13]

6. Most men feel they are entitled to a certain degree of control...

...and realize that economic, political and social control is kind of meaningless when only women have the power to make new people.

[raccoon]

59. "Most men feel they are entitled to a certain degree of control..." Amen to that! nt

[barbtries]

56. i've always called it

womb envy.

[Deep13]

5. This country has gone to hell.

The religious right and the corporations have killed everything good about it.

[Angry Dragon]

11. You are so right

Both political parties have contributed to the process of destruction.

[abelenkpe]

19. That is what is so disturbing isn't it? nt

[Tempest]

21. The Democrats only crime is silence

While this shit goes on.

Gutless, completely gutless.

[Angry Dragon]

28. I disagree

there were democrats that voted right along with them.

[Tempest]

35. A few Democrats do not represent the entire party n/t

[Angry Dragon]

37. Not all republicans are a**holes

but they are still the party of no.

You are correct that democrats do stand around and do not stand up. When you are the inclusive party one tries to work with the other side to bring change for everyone. When you are the party of exclusion you are only concerned for your own well being. There are lies and corruption on both sides of the aisle. right now we have a president that is not really fighting for what he said he would. It is time for him to stop trying to appease them and really fight for the things he promised to get elected.

[RKP5637]

44. I agree with you so much! And some want a theocracy. I guess they must

just love the violence and horrors of a theocracy. There are certainly enough examples of the horrors of a theocracy. And this combined with the oppressive corporations and cornered wealth running this country. The RW clearly have their heads up their butts and are the most un-American and unpatriotic people I've encountered. They are so damn evil, ignorant, bigoted, hypocritical and unpleasant disgusting people.

[barbtries]

57. damn

i wish i didn't agree with you!
well, if it can go to hell it can leave hell too. people get ready, there's a change a' coming....

[ljm2002]

7. Unfortunately many women go along with it...

...they believe that abortion is a pressing moral issue, just as many men do. They believe that abortion happens to other women, or to "bad" women, not nice, law-abiding, God-fearing and moral women such as themselves.

Although it is a women's issue, women are quite divided on this issue. It is amazing to me, but there it is.

[pipi_k]

22. I was going to post the same thing....that until

all...or at least a majority of women...decide to say "enough of this bullshit", it's going to keep on happening.


Personally, I think that the day a whole bunch of women get together and say to their men...cook your own dinner, do your own laundry, and oh...by the way...go fuck a large barnyard animal...and really mean it...things will change FAST.

[femrap]

41. I'd prefer if the

farm animal would just kick the man where his brain is supposed to be.

Really, really hard. :evilgrin:

[RKP5637]

46. Absolutely amazing. The same mindset that only other people have auto

accidents or get severely ill, etc., etc. The "Not Me" syndrome yet again.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

58. Pro-life Republican women don't need to worry

Pro-life Republican women are more likely to have enough money to travel to California for their abortions, or to France. Their abortions will not be made public knowledge, so they will be safe in their god-fearing and moral hypocrisy.

:hi:

[krabigirl]

64. Yep. Actually, I find women worse on this issue. So many women love to hate other women.

[Echo In Light]

8. K/R

[Cleita]

9. Isn't this the state that also requires a vaginally inserted ultrasound before an abortion?

I think women need to protest this vigorously and any other law that is an invasion of a woman's body without her consent.

[okieinpain]

10. i think people should put oklahoma in the boycott box with

Arizona. there is the only one thing that gets to republicans, Money.....

[mnhtnbb]

12. More right wing fundie holier than thou Taliban wannabe crap.

[libodem]

14. I'm outraged !

Choice over one's personal body ought to trump free speech and gun rights and privacy.

[asjr]

15. After they have forced a woman to

have an ultrasound showing the fetus they will then put her on the rack and stretch her to another height. They are already getting the Iron Maiden revamped for the second lap of the race. No group, no matter where or who they are, should have that much sway over women. Fundamentalists should have no say in either the Senate or the House of any state. Fundamentalists should stay out of our lives, be they women or men. I live in TN and was not aware they had done pretty much the same thing. I am ashamed of my state. I am angry!

[EnlightenedOne]

16. Not that I'm for this in the least

but I suspect they would be shocked to find out that most women choosing an abortion are probably upper, middle class, older white women - many of whom probably vote republican.

[RKP5637]

17. In a country that boasts all the time about freedom and equality I find the US

so damn hypocritical and fake... This country has such a history of violence and stomping on people rights. Here we are now how many years later and women are still fighting for rights. Cluster Fuck Nation.

[abelenkpe]

18. Clearly Oklahoma

is telling all women "We don't respect you, please leave." Any woman who stays under such circumstances is endangering herself should she be unlucky enough to have a troubled pregnancy or be the victim of rape.

Honestly, this stuff is like something straight out of A Handmaids Tale. No?

[kenfrequed]

20. A war on the poor

It is a war on the poor and on the working class and especially on women.

[BlueIris]

23. Worthless misogynists.

It can't be posted enough.

[dflprincess]

24. Depending on how personal the details they're posting on a public website are

they could be setting that part of their law up in direct violation of HIPPA and I would think a Federal court could issue an injunction against that.

As far as Steve Russell's assertion that “This is not about women. It is about children in the womb deserving a life that got created.” Bull. Like any law that attempts to restrict reproductive rights, this is about controlling women and keeping them "in their place". Like all "pro-life" males Russell is just another insecure little man who is afraid of women and doesn't want to have to deal with us on an equal basis. I'll bet he's one of those right wing hypocrites who forgets all about the children who are no longer "in the womb".

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

25. Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is truly "objectifying women".

Liking to see them naked is NOT.

That will be all. Have a nice day.

[Kitty Herder]

26. Indeed it is.

Left, right and center everyone has their favorite way of reducing us to things to be used. Enjoying seeing women naked isn't inherently objectifying. Few people would argue that it is. Hell, I like to see men naked. As a matter of fact, I sometimes enjoy seeing women naked. The human body is a marvelous thing. But surely you know there are men that reduce women to parts and there are industries whose entire purpose it to reduce women to parts with the sole purpose of pleasing men. Reducing women to cunts or boobs is no more right than reducing them to wombs and it leads to abuse. WE ARE PEOPLE.

[seabeyond]

69. yup. nt

[Kitty Herder]

27. In my opinion, it's assault.

And the entire fucking legislature should be charged.

[one_voice]

29. That's what I was thinking..

How can they force anyone to have any kind of medical procedure. They're forcing women to have a vaginal ultrasound..I think there's another state trying to do the same thing..

It's a violation..plain and simple.

[Kitty Herder]

30. Another word for it is object rape.

Being forced to have something inserted in the vagina is rape. Plain and simple. I don't know why people aren't saying that. I've seen it said on a couple of feminist blogs, but other than that, no one seems to be pointing out the obvious.

[riderinthestorm]

53. Being forced into having something inserted into the vagina is rape.

I just have to repeat those words so they're in a title.

Forced vaginal ultrasounds are another form of rape.

And you're right, this point has just been "fringe", only on feminist sites really, but honestly after the HCR fiasco and the utter unconcern over women's rights that are fair game (uncertainty over whether the Hyde Amendment is now codified with Obama's Exec Order, or whether it's still an annual renewal for example), even on "liberal" sites like DU, nobody's going to scream bloody murder over having women endure foreign objects forcibly shoved up their vaginas.

IIRC correctly, this is already law in AZ but that thread sank like a stone....

[moriah]

71. I would see vaginal ultrasounds as a hell of a lot different...

... if the reasoning in the law for performing one was even close to being a medical reason. If a provider insisted on an ultrasound for a *medical* reason and refused to perform an abortion without it, I wouldn't see it as object rape any more than the use of a speculum in a rape evidence examination.

I personally think an ultrasound should be done before an abortion -- because it would help accurately date the pregnancy and prevent incomplete abortions. The provider would be able to visualize all of the products of conception and have a better idea of how much tissue to expect to remove. NOT just to force the woman to look at those products of conception in an effort to guilt-trip them into continuing the pregnancy -- THAT is when it's a violation. And this law has absolutely no medical justification whatsoever.

And edit to add: I don't think the woman should be forced to look at the ultrasound either, even if it was done for a legitimate medical purpose. There's no medical purpose at all that would require a woman to watch.

[musette_sf]

31. "There are no exceptions for rape"

The criminal rapist's reproductive rights trump the victim's rights.

The non-sentient ZBEF's* reproductive rights trump the victim's rights.

THIS is why abortion rights can NEVER be a "states' rights" issue. Reproductive health care rights and choices MUST be mandated, protected and enforced on a Federal level.


*ZBEF = Zygote/Blastocyst/Embryo/Fetus

[one_voice]

32. I agree..

Some things should NEVER be a states right issue. Abortion, gay marriage, etc. Anything that could discriminate, oppress, or violate civil rights should NEVER be left up to states.

I find that more often than not, those who want issues left up to the state, are usually imposing their views/morals on people. Much like civil rights.

[11 Bravo]

33. I'm a guy. Am I allowed to be seriously pissed off as well?

[one_voice]

34. Oops!!

Sorry, didn't mean to exclude men. :blush: Please be outraged!

[progressoid]

42. I am too.

A guy and pissed off that is.

[mstinamotorcity]

36. The womb police

get on my fucking nerves. Most of the time when someone objects to a woman having an abortion,its usually old white men and women,who have long past their child bearing years. I go to the abortion clinic just to mess with them. I took my daughter to the planned parenthood at her request. This is where she received birth control. And they went running up to me screaming " Don't kill your baby,Don't kill your baby." I told them I had twelve kids and this was number thirteen and this motherfucker was like my favorite subject, history.And if they cared so much me and the crew would be over for dinner at 6:00.

[Lyric]

38. Just wait until we're required to be vaginally raped

...erm...I mean have a non-consenting vaginal ultrasound...in order to get Plan B. And then to get birth control pills. And then to take a hot bath and an Advil...you know, just in case there's a lurking embryo in there that might, possibly, maybe be damaged by a hot bath and an Advil. After all, it's all just to make sure that we're intimidated...I mean informed about the possible consequences to a possible lurking embryo.

Really, we should be tied to our beds whenever we're not busy being bred or cooking dinner for the menfolk. You never know when there might be an unsuspected pregnancy in progress that could be compromised by too much freedom.

:banghead:

[femrap]

39. ...

:wtf: is right! Women of Oklahoma need to unite and file a Class Action Lawsuit of some kind. This is horrendous.

I read that the ultrasound must be done via the vagina...just another way to make women feel more like a breeding mare. It's disgusting.

Must be a lot of short-dicked politicians in the legislature of OK.

And the record keeping??? Good Goddess...hello to 'The Handmaid's Tale.'

Everyday there is something that just screams at me and I keep saying: 'Pinch me. Wake me from this damn nightmare.'

[Vinca]

40. I imagine State Sen. Steve Russell (R) will follow up his bill that

"is not about women" with another law which immediately gives custody of the child to the father as well as the full responsibility of support for 18 years. Do that a few times and suddenly the womb meddling will stop.

[Odin2005]

43. Sick, sick fucks!:

:grr:

[BlancheSplanchnik]

45. women truly aren't human beings to these scumfucks.

Women who have been brainwashed into the fetus uber alles movement must somehow compartmentalize their thinking so that they can separate themselves from women who are not like t hem.

a famous writer once said, "Women's suffering does not matter". Can't remember who, but she was right. If women would fight for their own lives as hard as they do for their children's interests, we might get somewhere.

[phylny]

47. I don't know why people in states that restrict abortion

don't try to buy a life insurance policy for their fetus. Then, when they're denied a policy, sue the state, since a fetus is a person, and persons with no "preexisting condition" can be insured.

[RainDog]

48. women should LEAVE OKLAHOMA - just as people are boycotting Arizona

I would never visit oklahoma, I would tell women never to move to that shithole of a state.

the legislators in Oklahoma should simply go fuck themselves so that they can get over their obsession with women's vaginas.

who would want to EVER live there??????

[noiretextatique]

49. massive gender discrimination lawsuit should follow

and if possible, some of these asshole lawmakers should be named as conspirators in the lawsuit.

[chillspike]

50. Forced childbirth = Extension of Rape

If rape is forced sexual intercourse what is forced childbirth?

[Duer 157099]

51. I want to go home. I can't identify with the people on this planet anymore

It's beyond distressing.

[saracat]

52. This is pretty much what they passed in Arizona. But no one cared and it is also

pretty much what will be in the new HCR provisions. And we aren't supposed to care.

[riderinthestorm]

54. Just made that point upthread (didn't even make it down this far before I erupted!)

:blush:

Great minds think alike??

Peace.

[saracat]

55. Some folks around here have been saying for years that "choice" is untouchable.

I heard it from the AZ Dems all the time. And now they are running a Pro-lifer for the legislature, but they tell me its okay because its an Hispanic district. Women shrug and say they "understand".:grr:

[BlueIris]

60. It is sad that no one understands how anti-choice HCR is.

Pathetic, actually.

[nolabear]

61. Wait, this isn't about pro-life, it's about money. Am I wrong?

"No health plan, including health insurance contracts, plans or policies, offered outside of the state Exchange, but within the state, shall provide coverage for elective abortions except by optional separate supplemental coverage for abortion for which there must be paid a separate premium in accordance with subsection D of this act."

It means women have to pay more just in case. The government is making a law that supports unfair trade practices.

[proud2BlibKansan]

63. No. It's about BABIES!!

:sarcasm:

[ismnotwasm]

62. Dude said it

"This is not about women"

We are, according to these assholes, merely convenient biological laboratory's for procreation and gestation. So we die? So our health is ruined? So we have-- supposedly (and only in some areas, and not all areas even in first world countries) basic human rights? So What?

Evil motherfuckers those forced birth folk.

Hypocrites too.

[area51]

65. Steve Russell, typical nazi hypocrite

"It is about children in the womb deserving a life that got created.”

If the anti-abortion nutcases are so fscking concerned about human life, then push for single-payer health care! The POST-BORN deserve life! :mad:

[moriah]

66. Okay, I think a ultrasound before an abortion *should* be mandated....

... for one purpose, and one purpose only: Properly dating the pregnancy and verifying the size of the uterus pre-termination. I think one afterward should be done as well.

Why? Because sometimes women have a period the first month they're pregnant, and women can have irregular cycles. Without an ultrasound to verify the contents of the uterus and going by dates alone, it's quite possible for a doctor to think he's removed all of the products of conception based on the volume of tissue removed, but not get everything since the fetus was older and bigger than he thought. An incomplete abortion can be life-threatening.

But making the woman actually see the ultrasound, describing the size of organs, etc.... that's just friggin' insane. I know that a vaginal ultrasound is traumatic, especially for a rape victim, but if the reasoning behind it is a sound medical one -- to avoid incomplete abortion -- that's worth the trauma IMHO. To do it simply to guilt-trip a woman into keeping the baby has no medical justification.

[Generic Other]

67. Next up on the legislative agenda: Force women to get pregnant

Pregnant and barefoot laws to be introduced next! The extremists think any form of birth control is an abortion. They consider birth control pills as aborting viable eggs. They will stop at nothing.

They want to factory farm fetuses in order to raise cheap slave labor for their walmarts and their military. I would say fuck them ut I think the only real way to stop them is to refuse to fuck them! Lysistrata time!

And when do we start to jail those masturbating lawmakers who intentionally spill their seed and kill babies? Masturbators should be forced to confess and have their names published in the local papers. They should be forced to endure ultrasounds and probes. To be humiliated and made to feel like lowlife republican buttboils.

:sarcasm:

[Captain Hilts]

68. Like Prop 8, it's always dangerous to REMOVE a right. nt