This week, the Oklahoma Legislature overturned Gov. Brad Henry’s veto of recent abortion legislation.
Coming out of this legislation, controversy has formed as a result of the new requirement that women view an ultrasound before having an abortion.
As residents of this state, we are left confused.
Why is our state government so quick to act on behalf of the health of unborn children, yet has stated time and time again it refuses to support national health-care legislation?
Both issues deal with health practices, and if the state is so willing to get involved with the health of unborn children, why can the state not get behind the idea of protecting adults?
We legislate mandatory ultrasounds, but we cry foul when the government mandates broader health care.
Our Legislators are willing to force women into the doctor’s office for an extra visit, but we refuse to pay for it.
Republicans and Democrats alike in this state call for an end to big government, but how do we limit government when our Legislature extends its influence into the waiting room? The state government believes the federal government is overstepping its bounds with health care, but does not recognize the same bounds for state government.
These two issues stand on opposite sides of the political spectrum when, in reality, they are not so far removed from one another.
If our state legislators are going to mandate health care in relation to abortion, they should not shy away from additional mandated health care.
They cannot pick and choose between health care mandates.
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TheJeff 2 years ago
"TheJeff, how exactly is it doing that by violating the rights of a woman to make choices about her own body?"
In the case of this law, it attempts to do this through educating people about the procedure. As opposed to promoting made up "rights" for specific sections of society, the government should restrict itself to protecting equal rights for all persons.
mustafa 2 years ago
I haven't herad anything about the woman being forced to pay to view the ultra-sound.
This article certainly doesn't say that.
I don't believe the law requires that. Thus there is no comparison to expensive obama-care. Both you and the author are incredibly stupid or dishonest or both.
brandeis 2 years ago
Your writing is awful, but you do make an excellent point.
Where are all of those neocons who were crying about how they were mandated to buy health care. Now Oklahoma has mandated women buy ultrasounds! I expect a tea party in protest soon.
TheJeff 2 years ago
It is the government's job to protect the civil rights of all people. It is not the government's job to provide everybody with everything. A "mandate" with the aim of stopping an abortion is no more an infringement on civil rights than a "mandate" trying to stop theft or murder. Oklahoma women are not mandated to buy an ultrasound. They need only buy one if they seek an abortion.
Even if you did want to compare it to the national mandate: a)It's state level, just like auto-insurance. b)Just like not driving a car, a woman can choose not to have an abortion. These things are unlike a Federal mandate to buy a private product simply for breathing.
soonersforever 2 years ago
"It is the government's job to protect the civil rights of all people"
TheJeff, how exactly is it doing that by violating the rights of a woman to make choices about her own body?
mustafa, who exactly will pay for them then? Surely the Republicans wouldn't raise taxes to pay for these additional expensive procedures. Unless the woman has health insurance I'm almost positive she'd have to pay out of her own pocket.
mythman 2 years ago
"Let's get the government out of our lives and into our pants." -Roy Zimmerman
terri 2 years ago
Of COURSE there will be some who expect the woman to pay out of her own pocket. A scary number of paople think that all the rest of America is wealthy or at least middle-class like they are, and there are tons of people who have no idea what it is like to need a doctor and not be able to afford one. They don't get that through no fault of their own, their neighbors and fellow citizens are unemployed, scared, and not exactly sure that they want to bring children in to this world, particularly a state like Oklahoma, where DHS drops the ball all the time. Yeah, people really believe in quality of life issues - NOT. Just ask Kelsey Briggs and Aja Johnson how well DHS worked for them, getting them out of brutal and violent homes...Oh, I forgot, you can't ask them, they're dead. Violently and brutally dead.
Can't the legislature work on THAT if it cares about pro-life issues? Oh, I forgot, there's no budget for that either.
wxwatcher 2 years ago
I agree that they are being complete hypocrites. "Oh we don't like Government mandated health care but we're going to mandate that you have this invasive procedure done should you even think about an abortion!"
However, you failed to mention one of the most horrific parts of the bills that they overturned: A doctor can now outright lie to you about your health or the health of the fetus and be completely protected by law from being sued! Hypocratic oath anyone? Ethics anyone? If I knew my doctor was potentially lying to me, I would change to another in a heartbeat. What a load of crap!