Hinson fails to support fact-based sex ed

As someone who used Planned Parenthood in the past and campaigned on the promise to keep government out of women's health issues, state Rep. Ashley Hinson has a funny way of keeping those promises.

A law was passed on May 3 restricting access for state funding of sex education programs. HF766 specifically doesn't allow organizations that provide abortion services to receive state grants for the purposes of providing sex education to Iowans.

This makes no sense because grants given by the government must be used in the manner described by the terms of the grant. No state funding would go toward abortions anyway. This law only serves to decrease the availability of sex education in our state.

Additionally, a study released by the NIH has shown that states with comprehensive sex education programs have significantly fewer cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). With the rise in antibiotic resistant strains of diseases like gonorrhea, this reduction of sex education is more dangerous than ever and threatens the health of many Iowans.

Hinson said that the government should stay out of women's health issues, and yet voted yes on this bill. The risk of STDs is one that faces us all. Hinson does not seem to understand the implications of the laws that she votes for. This is why I would urge Iowans to think twice before voting for her as U.S. representative.

Elwood Garlock

Cedar Rapids