Why are Republicans against contraception, which would prevent abortions?

Question

Since contraception prevents abortion, one would think that they would not be against it. McCain advisor, Tom Coburn, is even against condoms. Republicans also claim to be against taxation, and I have heard them complain about “welfare mothers.” This seems to be a Catch 22, no contraception, no abortion, and no help for single and low-income mothers. Republicans recommend adoption, but they don’t mention the costs involved in prenatal care or the hospital and physician costs involved in childbirth. Of course, they have made sure that federal employees have access to contraceptives. In addition, most insurance pays for Viagra, but not birth control. I wonder if they are out of touch or just don’t care what the realities are.

“The issue surfaced this week after Carly Fiorina, a high-profile McCain campaigner and possible running mate, wondered whether there isn't a bit of sexism underlying health coverage determinations.

"Let me give you a real, live example, which I've been hearing a lot about from women," the former Hewlett-Packard CEO said Monday, while discussing women's health issues in Washington. "There are many health-insurance plans that will cover Viagra, but won't cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice."

But the comments don't mesh with McCain's record on the issue. Twice in the last decade -- in 2003 and 2005 -- the Arizona senator has voted against legislation requiring insurance plans that cover prescription drugs to also cover birth control. Confronted with Fiorina's sentiments, McCain was stuck: If he replied that it is, indeed, unfair that contraceptives are not covered, then he flip-flops on his earlier votes; if he answered no, then he risks alienating women voters. Instead, he punted.

"I don't recall the vote," McCain said. "I've cast thousands of votes in the Senate."

Congress passed legislation requiring that prescription birth control be covered for federal employees. The mandate, however, didn't include the private sector.”

“Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain's campaign officials boast he has "consistently voted against taxpayer-funded contraception programs." And Mr. McCain reports that his adviser on sexual-health matters is Sen. Tom Coburn, Republican of Oklahoma, who leads campaigns claiming condoms are unsafe and opposing emergency contraception.”

http://washingtonindependent.com/view/mccains-birth

http://www.dyreportents.com/2007/08/republicans-vs-birth-control-or-why-gop.html

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20080219/NEWS/993612655

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25906611/

Answer 1

I must admit, I have been baffled by that myself.  Since birth control methods prevent conception, no fetus is created. Preventing a pregnancy from occurring could not in any way be considered abortion.  Not only does contraception lower the number of abortions, it also helps with overpopulation and, in the case of condoms, helps prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.  All of these benefits with no harm to anyone can only be a good thing.

Answer 2

While I agree that contraception and other services need to be available to everyone, I really feel that this is more so on the political side and needs to be in another section.

Answer 3

I can't speak to what they might have wrong with condoms, but some people in the pro-life movement think that birth control pills themselves are a form of abortion.  I'm pro-life and had to do some research myself.  I don't think there is enough medical research to know for certain so I disagree that birth control is a form of abortion.

The logic goes something like this.  Birth control pills work primarily by stopping ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus to stop sperm from entering the uterus.  A third effect is that it thins the endometrial wall.  So if the first two parts fail and a sperm makes it through and you have ovulated, then birth control prevents that fertilized egg from being able to implant since its thinned your endometrial wall.

Now, I don't think that's really the case, I think if you ovulate then your endometrium will be thick enough to sustain a baby, but that's some of the logic behind it.

Answer 4

McSame is dancing over the issues. Its been proven that contraceptives do prevent pregnancies which thereby reduces the number of abortions. I had also read that HMO's would pay for Viagra (originally made for men) but not birth control pills. How stupid can ya get. Lets get men ready to have s*x but not pay for birth control for a woman! Doesn't make a bit of sense but then again.... if the shoe fits!

I get a lot of emails from my republican friends who love to spread rumors. Why do they believe everything they receive in an email without checking it out first? They send me the stupidest stuff cause they are willing to believe everything they read. Guess they've never heard of snopes.com? Doesn't make a bit of sense but then again.... if the shoe fits!