Following up on a segment from last night's show, House Republicans continue to demonstrate their laser-like focus on jobs and the economy by introducing more anti-abortion bills, including Rep. Todd Akin's (R-Mo.) "Stop Abortion Funding in Multi-state Exchange Plans Act."
Under Akin's bill, the government would have to ensure that "no multi-State qualified health plan offered in an Exchange provides coverage of abortion." Similar to federal funding limitations, the bill allows exemptions to this policy only for rape or incest, or if the life of the mother would be in danger without the procedure.
The bill, H.R. 4971, also includes language that prevents states from pre-empting the law.
Of course it does. The party that's eager to return more power to states would make sure that state flexibility in this area doesn't exist.
At the same time, as Nick Baumann reports, there's also Rep. Todd Rokita's (R-Ind.) "State Health Flexibility Act," which would "force 17 states, including California, Massachusetts, and New York, to either discontinue programs that help low-income women pay for abortions, or spend a lot more money to purchase new insurance plans for those women."
Requiring states to purchase separate abortion-only plans "would be a change and one that would be harmful to women in those states," [Judy Waxman, the vice president for health and reproductive rights at the National Women's Law Center] says, noting that the current structure has stood for decades without interference from Republican or Democratic administrations.
Just so we're clear, Republican lawmakers get pretty annoyed when their critics say they're too focused on undermining women's rights, and get even more annoyed at the notion of federal mandates that require states to take actions they do not wish to take.
And yet, here we are.
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Why are you confused - it is what the GOP says it's doing not what it is actually doing - clearer now? /snark
The face of the Republican Party is barbarity, hatred, and heartless vindictiveness. Are they really Americans, or do they honestly consider themselves members of some quasi-independent cult that has no responsibility to this country? These people openly peddle lies about our president that they know are outrageous. These people call themselves "Christians" and pledge to ban abortions because it destroys "human life" yet have no qualms about supporting baseless, unnecessary laws that would literally allow women to die rather than receive life-saving treatment. http://www.sunstateactivist.org
A-to-the-men, @TheActivist! Well said.
Further, it seems like yesterday that Republicans were dancing joyfully in the streets over the "slam-dunk" prospect that the Roberts court will overturn the ACA. Now, suddenly, it seems they're introducing a pack of anti-ACA legislation nationwide. Are they hedging - or fretting?
Always making fun of idiots, always trying to expose the hidden agenda. Well you'll be sorry, just you wait. We will suppress the vote and oppress the people and get applause from foxian fools while chopping even their heads off.
What war on women?
This is the segment in which Dr. Maddow reached an incorrect conclusion. She says:
"The reason Mississippi is the worst...is African American women have more than double the White women there."
Mississippi infant mortality has a "huge racial inequality specifically."
In essence, Ms. Maddow was saying Black women and their babies fare so much worse in MS, that is why MS infant mortality rate is so high. On the surface, because of the disparity between the infant mortality rates of Blacks and Whites, that would seem correct.
But, that is not correct. The difference between the Black and White rate in Mississippi is not as drastic as the rest of the nation. Here are a couple of the worse cases, the national average, and then Mississippi
Hawaii Infant Mortality Rate (per 1000 live births)
White - 4.2
Black - 21.1
Which means Black infants are 5.27 times more likely to die before age 1 than Whites.
DC Infant Mortality Rate (per 1000 live births)
White - 4.6
Black - 18.6
Which means Black infants are 4 times more likely to die before age 1 than Whites.
National Infant Mortality Rate (per 1000 live births)
White - 5.7
Black - 13.4
Which means Black infants are 2.6 times more likely to die before age 1 than Whites.
Mississippi Infant Mortality Rate (per 1000 live births)
White - 6.9
Black - 15.1
Which means Black infants are 2.18 times more likely to die before age 1.
Bottom line: the infant mortality rate in MS is the worst for reasons other than Race.
Source is same one TRMS posted in Links for the show, just a different chart:
http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparetable.jsp?cat=2&ind=48
Thanks for the stats, RobDon. So then, that means "huge racial inequality" does not so much apply "specifically" to Mississippi as it does apply to the nation as a whole?
Not so sure about your conclusion. Comparing white infant mortality to black infant mortality in MS to the rest of the nation just confirms that it is not the racial disparity that makes MS infant mortality the worst in the nation as Ms. Maddow seems to state.
My guess (and it is just that) is that it has more to do with economic and education than race no matter if you are talking MS or the rest of the nation.
(Correction: last night when I looked up these numbers I think I miscalculated the national disparity and failed to make the change. I believe the nation is closer to 2.4 than 2.6 more likely as stated above.)
Bottom line: the infant mortality rate in MS is the worst for reasons other than Race.
RMS did not say RACE was the ONLY reason for such figures , sorry pal
Well, let's see, here are Ms. Maddow's own words:
And then she goes on examining the racial difference...not the geographical (city vs rural), not the economic difference, not educational level of parents, but the RACIAL differences.
Even if she wasn't saying it was the "only" difference, she was clearly stating that it alone was the main difference. She was incorrect in that assessment.
Oh good, more anti-abortion bills! After all, it is against the law, isn't it??
Jesus F-ing Christmas, the GOP and it's disciples are despicable.
Mr Benens op certainly sends home mr boehners melt down on the floor last friday , he looked like he would hit Pelosi if he new he could get away with it , then they present THIS the very next week , major FLOP
Steve and RMS Blog , it is nice to see you not handling the republicans with kids gloves any more , now we just need to get out reps to do the same with the anti constitutional government party
I wonder what would happen if all the women moved out of that state.
ABORTION EQUALS MURDER OF AN INNOCENT HUMAN BEING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlA0-ZGy2To
This is not a WAR ON WOMEN it's a war against MURDER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlA0-ZGy2To
http://reason.com/archives/2012/04/18/obamas-big-government-liberalism
Rachel Maddow Offically Has Her Head Up Her Own Ass