Democrats drop health-care option from stimulus plan

When the House version of the $819-billion economic stimulus plan passed on Jan. 28, one important section was missing. It pertained to expansion of health care services for low-income women.

The original bill contained the Medicaid Family Planning State Option. States have been required to obtain a Department of Health and Human Services waiver to use Medicaid funds for family planning services, even cancer screenings; 27 states have done this. The provision would have permitted the remaining 23 states to more easily and quickly expand eligibility for these programs to more low-income women, without applying for the time-consuming and costly waiver.

This simple provision would have provided coverage for millions of women who desperately need these services now, at a time of severe economic crisis, when so many are losing homes, jobs and health insurance. Increasing numbers of women now need safety-net health care and family planning services, including costly contraceptives.

House Republicans had launched a hostile campaign, rife with misinformation, against the inclusion of this provision in the stimulus package, threatening to veto the entire bill. Led by House Minority Leader John Boehner, the anti-choice Republican right wing zeroed in on this part of the bill, mocked the provision as “frivolous,” criticized its alleged cost—$550 million over 10 years, a drop in the bucket in the stimulus plan—and whipped up venom against it.

One phony allegation was that it wouldn’t create jobs. In reality, expanding family planning to cover more people would add health care jobs.

Ultraright-wing media pundits, including the misogynist Rush Limbaugh, and reactionary organizations like the so-called Family Research Council launched misleading, vituperative attacks against this part of the stimulus bill, blasting government support for family planning programs. Television anchors on ABC, CNN and MSNBC also criticized and heavily distorted this provision’s intent.

Some falsely claimed that the government is mandating family size by providing family planning services. It is not. It is providing women with medical services and information so they can make important decisions about their own health and lives—which the anti-choice forces are aiming to stop.

Dems give in and get nothing for it

When the right-wingers became more voceriferous, and the media clamor got louder, the Democratic administration dropped this section of the bill like a hot potato. They directed Sen. Henry Waxman, who runs the committee dealing with Medicaid, to eliminate it, anticipating the plan would then pass. But it did not. Even with the capitulation to the Republican right, not one GOP House member voted for the bill.

Women’s rights, family planning and health care activists and organizations immediately voiced their anger and disappointment at the dropping of this essential health care provision from the stimulus plan. They called it partisan politics that demonstrate a callous disregard for women’s health.

“The Medicaid Family Planning State Option fully belonged in the economic recovery package,” said Marcia D. Greenberger, co-president of the National Women’s Law Center. “The Republican leadership opposition to the provision shows how out of touch they are with what it takes to ensure the economic survival of working women and their families.” (rhrealitycheck.org)

They are also out of touch with the majority of people who support expansion of family-planning services to low-income women.

To deny expanded family planning services to uninsured women is also to deny them access to general medical care and improved health. Federally funded family planning programs are often the only places where they can obtain vital primary care, including basic check-ups, cancer screenings and STD and other vital testing, which can help prevent serious illnesses and complications.

The short-sighted policy of curtailing federally funded programs can lead to more unintended pregnancies and more abortions. Lack of basic health care can lead to more preventable cancers and other severe diseases. Early detection and treatment, on the other hand, lower medical costs over the long run while saving lives and promoting better health for women.

The right wing’s myopic view deliberately overlooks the facts: these programs promote health and save money by expanding access to preventive care. Even to a bean counter, these services are worthwhile. The Congressional Budget Office stresses this plan will actually save the federal government more than $200 million over five years.

The House’s economic package is now going to the Senate. It is likely too late to reinstate the Medicaid Family Planning State Option back into the bill, but women’s rights and health care advocates encourage pressure on the White House and Congress to attach it to upcoming legislation or put it in future budgets.