Hinson, Miller-Meeks play constituents for fools

Reps. Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks recently voted against bills protecting women who cross state lines for an abortion and protecting access to contraception.

They put women in precarious situations: travel costs added to an abortion could make an already costly procedure less attainable, and a pregnancy resulting from restrictions on birth control could prevent a woman from leaving an abusive partner.

After they voted against both bills that passed the House, Hinson inexplicably introduced meaningless and confounding legislation: selling oral contraceptives to women over age 18, over-the-counter, which is not covered by insurance.

Also, Miller-Meeks falsely stated the bill “allowed non-FDA contraception methods.” The text is clear: “ … legally marketed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act…,” located on top of page two. It’s her job to read the legislation.

My impression is, constituents are being played for fools. Both representatives care little about what a majority of Iowans want. Their votes choose to ignore the decades women have fought to liberate our gender from the shackles of a second-class citizen. Additionally, backsliding on social progress is cruel.

“The main finding of The Turnaway Study is that receiving an abortion does not harm the health and well-being of women, but in fact, being denied an abortion results in worse financial, health and family outcomes.” (U. of California San Francisco)

In November, choose Christina Bohannan (IA-01) and Liz Mathis (IA-02) to restore social progress, move America forward, and tell us the truth.

Ellen Ballas

Iowa City