Birth Control Debate Gets Heated
Change to proposed insurance rule hasn't stopped escalating rhetoric-->By: Ray Doughty
Updated: February 18, 2012
The fallout over a controversial Washington hearing on women's health continues to grow.
Many were outraged that women were shut-out from testifying before the all-male Congressional panel on contraception.
"For millions of American women, reading the news this morning was like stepping into a time machine and going back 50 years," said Senator Patty Murray.
"It doesn't look right for us to conduct a hearing for the rights of women without having a woman on the panel," added Representative Al Green of Texas.
Meanwhile, GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum is trying to explain a comment on the birth control debate from a high-dollar and high profile supporter, Foster Friess.
"You know back in my days, they used Bayer Aspirin for contraception-the gals put it between their knees and it wasn't that costly," Friess said during an appearance on "Andrea Mitchell Reports".
Hoping it won't cost his surging campaign, Santorum called the comment a "stupid joke."
The fight over whether religious based businesses must provide insurance that includes birth control is anything but stupid for advocates on both sides.
"People are opposed to this mandate for one simple reason, because they are in favor of religious liberty," said Utah Senator Orinn Hatch.
Others say denying contraceptive coverage betrays some of the most basic needs of millions of women.
Many were outraged that women were shut-out from testifying before the all-male Congressional panel on contraception.
"For millions of American women, reading the news this morning was like stepping into a time machine and going back 50 years," said Senator Patty Murray.
"It doesn't look right for us to conduct a hearing for the rights of women without having a woman on the panel," added Representative Al Green of Texas.
Meanwhile, GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum is trying to explain a comment on the birth control debate from a high-dollar and high profile supporter, Foster Friess.
"You know back in my days, they used Bayer Aspirin for contraception-the gals put it between their knees and it wasn't that costly," Friess said during an appearance on "Andrea Mitchell Reports".
Hoping it won't cost his surging campaign, Santorum called the comment a "stupid joke."
The fight over whether religious based businesses must provide insurance that includes birth control is anything but stupid for advocates on both sides.
"People are opposed to this mandate for one simple reason, because they are in favor of religious liberty," said Utah Senator Orinn Hatch.
Others say denying contraceptive coverage betrays some of the most basic needs of millions of women.
