via The Economist |
Simply in terms of being attack on the ability of women to get safe, legal abortions, the current attempts to destroy Planned Parenthood are reprehensible. Considering what Planned Parenthood does to prevent abortions, the current sting video hoax is misguided and irrational. On top of that, Planned Parenthood provides health services millions of women aren't getting elsewhere. Needed services. Services that will bend the rate of maternal mortality downwards, in line with other wealthy nations, away from the rates of failed states like South Sudan -- the apparent model governance favored by our Republican party.
The most compelling explanation is that more women are in poorer health when they get pregnant, and then failing to get proper care. Chronic health problems, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, are increasingly common among pregnant American women, and each of them makes delivery more dangerous. Indeed the traditional causes of pregnancy-related deaths, such as haemorrhage, venous thromboembolism and hypertensive disorders, have been declining in recent years, whereas deaths from cardiovascular conditions and other chronic problems have been on the rise. These conditions are more common among African-American women, which partly explains why they are nearly four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. Poverty is also closely correlated with worse health outcomes, as poor women are less likely to have access to proper health care, including contraception and prenatal care. (Women who become pregnant accidentally are less likely to seek timely prenatal care, which raises the risks of death.)
There's a real problem and it's not abortion. Once again, our national discourse is being driven a group of morally retarded fanatics who are trying to make the situation worse.
We, all of us, have a responsibility to push back against the mendacious bullshit that distracts from addressing the real problem. Politely, but firmly, we need to standing up for Planned Parenthood and insisting our elected officials do the same.