Upfront Warning: I don't know what the hell I'm talking about here!
I don't understand why this is still a critical issue for us. A few years ago the morning-after pill was going to change all of this. The French legalized the RU-486 pill, and I understand it is legal all over Europe - even to the point where discussions of selling it over-the-counter appeared...
Then it was legalized by the FDA, wasn't it?
So why is the Stupak bullshit such a big deal? Yes, it prevents abortions from being funded by tax dollars. But if abortion can be achieved by simpler and presumably cheaper and safer means i.e. pills--- why are we having a collective nervous breakdown?
Second Warning: I don't know what the hell I'm talking about here!
Now this is not a diary --- not by any stretch. But if there are several "morning after" pills that should be cheaper and safer than the medical procedure...isn't this a good thing?
Third and final warning: I am male & ignorant of the subject, and still don't know what the hell I'm talking about...
Please don't blast me into outer space for my ignorance. [If you wish to do so for the fact that this isn't a diary...well, that's fair enough]...
I hope this might be a place where the intelligentsia on this issue tell me [and other well-meaning ignorami] how much these techniques would cost -- assuming a Democratic Congress makes them available [within the new rule]...Is it [say] $1000 versus $250 for the morning-after pill?
What would be the practical impact on poor women? Could women get the RU486 pill prescribed under the Stupak amendment? Can they get the tests before and after the pill is taken paid for? I know they would have to buy the pills without government dollars, but is there any restriction on other parts of treatment [tests, after-care]?
I also realize that these pills are meant for 1st trimester abortions, and the people who need 2nd trimester abortions would be out of luck under this rule. But the vast majority of abortions take place in the 1st trimester....right?
Is there anything a Dem Congress could/should do to lessen the effects of the Stupak amendment [assuming it becomes law - heaven forbid]? Should we start thinking about ways to limit this idiocy?
How bad is this in practical terms?