The Republican War on Women -- The Battle in Kansas Continues

This is the thirteenth in a series of articles on the subject of women, abortion rights and the Republican Party. 

Republicans continue to say they don’t have to change their core principles, they only have to change the language they use to get their message out.  One perception they want to alter is the idea that they are running a “war on women”.  Looking at the news over the past few years, I’d say the Republican Party has a long way to go on this subject.

• Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky): “Talk about a manufactured issue.  There is no issue.” 
•  RNC Chairman Reince Priebus:  “It’s a fiction.”

The Kansas Front

the facts and commentary:  Currently, Kansas law bans abortion after the 22nd week, even in cases of rape or incest.  New abortion prohibitions passed earlier this Summer and signed into law by Governor Sam Brownback (R) do not address or specifically attempt to change that marker.  

Parts of the new Kansas anti-abortion bill have been temporarily blocked by County District Judge Rebecca Crotty.  Judge Crotty stated that she was unable to block the entire bill because the suits filed by various parties were specific only to certain provisions.

Blocked:

The provision requiring abortion providers to tell women that Kansas' Health Department's information on abortions is accurate and objective.

• Part of the Health Department's information claims as fact that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks, a claim that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says is false based on the fact that the brain is not developed at that stage. 

The provision that women be told of a link between abortion and breast cancer.

• The National Cancer Institute says studies have shown there is no such link.  The Kansas Cancer Center has spent the last seven years working to earn a coveted designation as a national cancer center from the National Cancer Institute, a designation that would bring research dollars to the state.  This false and politically tainted claim has stalled that process by raising the question whether the law would prohibit the center from performing any useful research.

The provision that attempted to redefine a medical emergency and would eliminate mental health as a reason for a woman to obtain an emergency abortion and would enforce a 24 hour waiting period even if the woman's life is in danger.

• Redefine a medical emergency?  Because politicians think they can recognize one better than a licensed physician?  State Representative Lance Kinzer, author of the mental health exception clause, asserts it is needed because otherwise a woman would use her mental health as an excuse to get out of having children.  Apparently Mr. Kinzer wants us all to believe that having children is a requirement, not a choice.  Doctors argued that this provision impacted "their ability to treat (emergency) patients."

A one year exemption was granted on a provision that would have prohibited medical residents at Kansas' only teaching hospital from performing abortions.  The court granted permission for the residents to perform abortions off-site and on their own time. 

• The University of Kansas Medical Center has asked for a permanent exemption pointing out that, if they do not provide medical students with abortion training, they could lose their accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.  The Council issued a statement saying that under its standards, an institution that objects to abortion must make arrangements for training elsewhere...and, in Kansas, there is no "elsewhere".

Allowed to stand:

A provision stating that "life begins at fertilization",  but does not attempt an outright ban on all abortion.  Proponents say it is simply a statement of principle and that any rights suggested by the language are limited by decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court.

• Well, at least there is that.  But what about next year?  How long will it be before some rabid social conservative points to that provision and interprets it as an outright ban on all abortions?

A provision requiring that a second physician be consulted before an abortion be performed if a fetus is found to be "non-viable" or if the life of the mother is in danger.

• Because, in an emergency situation and when the life of the mother is in danger, there is plenty of time to get a second opinion?

A provision that denies taxpayers the right to claim the cost of an abortion as a medical expense deduction on their income tax and a provision that denies abortion providers an exemption from paying sales tax on purchases of supplies.  State Representative John Rubin (R) says these provisions "ensure that no taxpayer funds are used, either directly or indirectly, to fund abortions, abortion providers, or abortion training."

• Mr. Rubin and his fellow conservatives contend that the new abortion law is needed to protect women's health.  I don't see how raising a barricade on the road to abortion training is going to accomplish that goal. 

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Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life said of the new law:  "It is very much a law that's pro-women being able to make more of a real choice."

In what universe?

So far, Kansas has spent $769,000 on private attorneys to defend anti-abortion laws enacted since Gov. Brownback took office in January of 2011.  Attorney General Derek Schmidt (R) predicts that defending this new law will cost the state an additional $500,000 over the next two years.

I guess fiscal conservatism doesn't count when the words "women's rights" or "abortion" enter the conversation.

. 

 The Republican War on Women is "fiction"?

WHAT YOU DO SPEAKS SO LOUDLY

THAT I CANNOT HEAR WHAT YOU SAY. 

Read more here: http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles/kansas-house-advances-anti-abortion-measure/#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles/kansas-house-advances-anti-abortion-measure/#storylink=cpy