Well.

At least someone's honest about it.

Infographic of the Day

Below is just a screen capture of what is an interactive infographic about national abortion restrictions in the US, by state and type of restriction. Click on the image (or here) to go to the interactive infographic.


Note that my state of residence, Indiana, tops the list.

As I have mentioned previously in comments, I feel decidedly less safe because of the anti-abortion legislation in Indiana, particularly the legislation dealing with "late term" abortions.

I am not desirous of getting pregnant, which makes me concerned about abortion restrictions since I am a sexually active fertile cis woman of childbearing age—but, if I were keen to have a child, I would be even more concerned about carrying a pregnancy to term in a state that values a fetus' life more than mine.

Which underlines one of many inherent flaws in "pro-life" rhetoric and policy: It actively discourages from becoming pregnant any woman who is not willing to potentially risk her life to have a baby.

That is, beyond the usual risks that advanced medicine is now mostly able to contend, in those places where it's allowed.

When I see that colorful display of anti-choice legislation across my state, all I see are barriers to informed, enthusiastic, safe, uncoerced reproduction. I'm certainly not the only one.

Virginia Update

[Post Updated Below]

If you recall, a couple weeks ago I posted about the state of Virginia attempting Kansas-style regulatory shut downs of abortion-providing clinics. Today was the public meeting regarding the regulations and, thus, the chance to speak about them. So many people came that the board extended the public comment period from the 20 allotted minutes to more than an hour. Here are some highlights:

Supporters of the proposed regulations spoke in broad anti-abortion terms, citing out-of-state medical malpractice and the immorality of the practice. The first speaker, Frances Bouton, likened legal abortion to slavery. Del. Bob Marshall's wife, Cathy, spoke on his behalf, citing "ground-up babies" being flushed into the public water system. [ed: Say what now? Are you serious?! --Misty]

Those opposing the draft regulations included several doctors who noted that first-trimester abortion is one of the most common procedures in the United States and one of the safest.

Internist Wendy Klein, MD, noted that colonoscopies, also performed in doctor's offices, carry a 100 times greater risk than first-trimester abortions. Other speakers in opposition represented young college graduates, low-income women and African-American women, all unable to afford health insurance and basic medical care. The common plea to the Board -- with a couple of younger speakers noting its composition as primarily male and white -- was to consider medical and safety issues rather than their religious beliefs in their vote.

The vote is this afternoon, though I do not know at what time. According to the VA Dept of Health site, a resident can send public comment in these ways:

Members of the public wishing to submit written comments concerning the draft emergency regulations to the Board prior to the September 15 meeting may submit them via email to commissioner.remley@vdh.virginia.gov; via U.S. mail to Post Office Box 2448, Richmond, Virginia 23218; or by fax to (804) 864-7022.

Since it is still Sept 15th and they haven't yet voted--as far as I know--it couldn't hurt to have your voice heard via email or fax.

[UPDATE] According to NARAL VA:

Breaking bad news: #VA TRAP regulations OK'd by BoH, will now go to Gov. McDonnell.

Virginians can sign a petition being sent to McDonnell here.

Want some Jesus With Your Birth Control?

No? That may be too bad if you live in Shelby County. Shelby County, Tennessee, is recommending that a religious organization, Christ Community Health Services (CCHS), get a $400,000 contract to provide family-planning and related services to its low-income & uninsured residents. Instead of Planned Parenthood (or Memphis Health Center).

CCHS seems like a nice enough organization focused on service, employing competent people, and they believe all people deserve health care and services. All of which are good things, yes.

Now let's look at their mission statement:

Christ Community Health Services will provide high-quality health care to the underserved in the context of distinctively Christian service. We recognize that Jesus Christ is the true healer of individuals and their communities and the source of our ability to serve.

Comparatively here is the mission statement from Planned Parenthood Greater-Memphis:

Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region's mission is to ensure broad public access to reproductive and related health care through health center services, education, advocacy and community partnerships in serving 42 counties in West Tennessee, North Mississippi and East Arkansas.

and Memphis Health Center:

Memphis Health Center's mission is to provide safe, quality, affordable, effective and comprehensive health services to the citizens of Shelby and Fayette counties.

I'm fairly comfortable with saying that both PP and MHC are also nice organizations who believe in service to all people and employ competent care givers. So what makes CCHS different? I think it's pretty obvious in just the mission statements.

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell said a six-person team that included health professionals and members of his administration evaluated proposals from Christ Community, Planned Parenthood and the Memphis Health Center. They gave Christ Community Health the highest cumulative score.

Uh-huh.

The low-income and under- or uninsured residents of Shelby County should not be forced to be a captive audience of a religious organization--even a competent medical one--in order to access necessary health care services.