In the United States today, women’s health is not simply an issue regarding the medical needs and rights of women. The topic has exploded and developed into a major factor in the upcoming presidential election and current GOP primaries. The issue of contraception and how it fits in to the larger scheme of federally funded healthcare has ignited heated debate among candidates and citizens all over the country.
During the initial GOP debates, some Aragon students cemented their views on candidates based on those candidates’ views of women’s health rights. Candidate Ron Paul, a Republican Representative from Texas, does not openly oppose the use of contraception, but strongly feels that it should not be covered by government funds. Sophomore Albert Boe disagrees, saying, “Since contraception is a necessity for the health of many women, I believe it should be federally funded, although I respect Ron Paul for not taking a stance against contraception.”
Conversely, Republican Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, has yet to establish a firm public stance on contraception and women’s health. Says freshman Masao Dahlgren, “Romney is indecisive because health and social issues are not his focus. I think he’s a bit afraid to take a set stance on issues other than the economy because it might attract criticism to his campaign as a whole. I don’t think he really cares that much about non-economic issues.”
GOP candidate Newt Gingrich (who is a former Georgia Representative and Speaker of the House) has taken a stance against Obama’s contraceptive reforms that require contraception to be available to all women through health insurance. He even accused Obama of “waging a war on the Catholic Church” in February.
Rick Santorum, a former GOP candidate from Pennsylvania, was widely known for his strong anti-contraceptive and pro-life beliefs. This concerned many liberals and moderate conservatives, and knowing he would never gain support from the middle ground was probably a factor in his withdrawal from the GOP race.
Says junior Rachel van Heteren, “Rick Santorum’s clear anti-contraception policy affected my opinion of him. After hearing him say that a baby conceived from rape was still a gift from God that a woman should have to give birth to, I really couldn’t support him at all because it showed a huge misunderstanding of women’s issues. I wouldn’t want him making decisions like that for me. I think that his withdrawal from the race probably had something to do with his views on women’s health.”
While this debate may have contributed to ending Santorum’s hope for the GOP nomination, it could affect the results of the general election. Says sophomore Amy Barch, “I am supporting Obama because I don’t like how Republicans handle women’s health issues.”
Adds van Heteren, “I think all of the Republican candidates are facing difficulties getting the female vote because of their conservative stance on issues involving women’s health. As it happens, I read that 30 percent of women preferred Mitt Romney while 60 percent preferred Barack Obama, and I think that reflects the tough situation Republican candidates have gotten themselves into.”
Beyond the scope of the presidential election, the issue of contraception is also becoming a Constitutional dispute. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), or Obamacare, was submitted to the Supreme Court for review after it was expressed that it possibly infringed upon state sovereignty and imposed financial burdens upon state governments. The PPACA contains policies mandating that all employers and educational institutions (excluding houses of worship) provide contraception for employees through their health coverage.
This clause of Obamacare infuriated many religion-sponsored institutions such as hospitals and schools. Because these institutions are not directly houses of worship, they were required to provide contraception for women as part of their health insurance.
The use of contraception goes against the religious morals of many groups and can cost up to $600 per year without insurance. Says sophomore Avalon Patton, “Religious institutions like schools and hospitals should have to provide contraception for all employees because that makes sure that women can decide whether or not they want to have children.”
Barch agrees, stating, “I really don’t feel like any religion has a place in politics, and that includes issues of women’s health. This is why we have the separation of church and state.”
While the Supreme Court has not yet delivered a verdict on Obamacare, many speculate on the outcome. Says Dahlgren, “There are definitely some good and bad aspects to PPACA, but I’d be careful about striking down the law, simply because a huge portion of the law that isn’t the controversial health-insurance clause is very helpful in terms of improving overall healthcare policy.
Personally, I think that healthcare should be a universal human right.”
It is now clear that this topic is no longer an economic concern. While the cost of providing contraception can add up over the years, women’s health will always be an issue regarding rights and choice.
