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Lawmaker says bill that would require women being prescribed contraception to prove medical needs is a slippery slope
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You have the latest to fight the contraception fight and this time it's state of Arizona as we told you last night Arizona lawmakers are pushing a new bill.
That would permit employers to opt out a providing contraception contraception coverage.
Not -- on Republicans want that opt out -- extended to businesses not just religious organizations.
And last night we heard from -- Republican state representative -- last going tonight.
The other side democratic state representative Matt -- joins us nice to see up.
Thanks.
Greta it's great to be here I think now I understand you describe this here doctors -- -- certain.
I am good OK -- you bring even more to this discussion -- you call this legislation legislation malpractice explained that.
Well -- -- any time that.
A group in this case.
Lawmakers policy makers whether it's at the federal level or the state level act in no way to take control of patient care.
From the doctors and to do this through policies such as the one that we're discussing I think that does constitute a legislative malpractice.
I attended doctors could still under the -- -- -- -- prescribed birth control of the questions is who pays for -- that he doesn't really step what the doctors can do it's a question of who pays for it is that right.
Well I I think.
-- it really does and I I don't think that.
-- when you look at the the way the law is written it specifically says that contraceptive medications prescribed by.
Your health care provider if they are for the hormone therapy.
For any use any medical use you actually have to show that to Europe on not medically change employer.
Which means women in this situation.
If they go and have a medical condition that requires hormone therapy not for contraception.
Have to reveal that private personal information that they should really be discussing only with their doctor.
-- there on trains employer and I think that's really not the role for big government.
Is okay so I zionist enemy and have -- load time I was hormone therapy.
And there are two uses one -- birth control and one -- for other medical problems is that correct and in aside from birth control.
Right there there are many there are many medical condition -- -- not require hormone therapy.
Okay so it's just it's just say it's the same it's the same -- that's when the it's for using it for contraception whether -- for medical prop other medical problems.
-- as as so if a lot is written so that it would only be used for other not for birth control.
And that private businesses.
For instance that didn't have to -- didn't have to pay for -- for pro contraception would that be a problem for you.
You know I I think that the fact that we are even discussing this it is really disturbing to me.
And did -- did bill at its at its core doesn't address any problem.
There's no new information in in medical science that demonstrates there's any risk here any danger.
And -- I don't think this.
Being I don't think consumers who did I think there are some people out there and and no I know what I get the email something for religious reasons.
Did not want to pay for birth control in insurance I got that.
And I'm trying to think when he got hot we've got paid out in light of the fact that hormonal therapy can have.
Can have medical uses beyond birth control that important medical -- is I'm trying to figure out a solutions have to stop the fight and figure out how -- you -- you -- -- -- -- continue continued to -- -- medical conditions.
And -- we can receive it.
And those who don't want to provide to insurance with contraception they don't have to but you can still prescribe it for birth control for.
For contraception it's just -- the first ought to pay for and I think that's where we are right.
And it seems to be but that remember there's that there is in current law in Arizona there is a protection for women.
In circumstances.
Where they need to go outside of their employer to get contraceptive medication and or pay for themselves.
There's a protection against discrimination or being fired in statute.
This measure that is about to pass the senate I fear.
Actually strips out that protection so women who do the responsible thing find another source or another way to pay for.
They're prescription.
Contraception.
End up being at risk for being discriminated against and fired from their from from the position.
And that's if I thought that the what -- -- axis side.
Pat cost what's what's that cost.
In Arizona if you even -- you might not even know.
If you don't get insurance -- Ford for around birth control pills for your got any idea.
It could be -- -- it could be as low as the mid hundreds and it could be as high as thousands.
Because the cheapest generic birth control has the most complications for women and it tends not to be able to tolerate it.
And -- -- 11 more thing I think it's important to point out.
The sponsors of this bill.
Talk about religious freedom and I think and and quote the the First Amendment I think it's very important for us to point out.
That the individual religious freedom applies to those employees who could be affected by this not just the employer so I don't see that it's fair.
-- proper for the state of Arizona to say that an employer's.
Rights religious freedom of expression should get.
The imposed on or trump individuals.
I don't I don't off I had -- follow that but -- and then there is no question that didn't units in the constitution religious freedom.
And the question whether the status requiring someone to violate his religious -- beliefs or not.
And you know I think this is one -- one of these arguments that I that I bet there's a really good Smart way so that everyone can can work it out where we don't step on people's religious rights but anyway.
What did it leave that for another today and -- -- what happens and Arizona nice to talk to serve.
Thank you got a good to be.
