Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Further on Fluke - New Info On Contraceptives Testimony

More has come out about the testimony of Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown law student who testified in front of an House panel on health care.
     Fluke said, “Without insurance coverage, contraception, as you know, can cost a woman over $3,000 during law school. For a lot of students who, like me, are on public interest scholarships, that’s practically an entire summer’s salary. Forty percent of female students at Georgetown Law report struggling financially as a result of this policy.”
“One student told us of how embarrassed and powerless she felt when she was standing at the pharmacy counter, learning for the first time that contraception wasn’t covered, and had to walk away because she couldn’t afford it," said Fluke. "Women like her have no choice but to go without contraception.”

Did you know:

*The panel members were all Democrats...and chaired by Nancy Pelosi. (What - the Republicans were all on vacation?)

*Fluke was the only witness. (Apparently others were unavailable, too.)

*What survey was her statement about "forty percent of female law students" based on?

*Fluke made it clear she was testifying in support of the regulation that requires all health insurance plans to cover sterilizations and contraceptives.

*She is also the past president of Georgetown Law Students for Reproductive Justice, a group I'm sure had nothing to do with this issue in the past.

*“You might respond that contraception is accessible in lots of other ways," Fluke told the Democratic panel. "Unfortunately, that's not true." Apparently Ms. Fluke is unaware that many insurance companies currently cover contraceptives -- including for those patients who need it to minimize polyp growth and other female issues.

*She must not shop much, either. Birth control pills were available for as little as $9 a month at the Target pharmacy just three miles from the Georgetown Law school campus. (True, they are generic. Maybe she won't buy generics.)

*A CVS pharmacy only two blocks away is more expensive -- its month supply of the same pills, Tri-Sprintec (the generic of Ortho Tri-Cyclen) costs $33. In other words, about $400 a year.

     When asked about the accuracy of Fluke's testimony, Rep. Hoyer’s (the Minority Whip) spokesman Daniel Reilly said:  “Mr. Hoyer takes Ms. Fluke at her word and believes she provided accurate testimony to the [Democratic] Steering & Policy Committee regarding important women’s health issues.”  (Read the report on Fluke's testimony. Plus Fluke's background and past actions.)

Do you suppose there was an agenda here?

2 comments:

Carolyn Paige said...

Oh Cindy, I didnt know we were this far apart politically. I knew some, but not this much.
Much love, Aunt Carolyn

Cindy Brick said...

Well Auntie dear, We are...and we aren't. I do believe that women should have the right to use contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. Absolutely. What bothered me about this panel was its obvious subterfuge and ingenuousness. Sandra Fluke knew jolly well how much contraceptives cost -- her use of the phrase "during law school" practically admits that. (Why didn't she say 'per year?' Because it would not have sounded so startling --)
I appreciate and can learn from honest discussion and presentations. It seems obvious here that this particular presentation was neither honest or up-front, even if their original aims were noble and well-meant. I don't believe that's how you should approach ANYTHING. (But don't think I'm saying, 'Hooray for Limbaugh' through all this. The man can still be pompous. Shame on him.)
Much love back atcha. And love to Uncle Ron, too. Hope you had a good time in Hawaii with Aunt Ruby.

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