Author Archives: Kate

Ryan Budget passed in the House of Representatives today

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From Ann McLane Kuster’s Facebook feed:

“Just moments ago the disastrous Ryan budget passed in the House of Representatives, with Congressman Bass’ support. New Hampshire families deserve better than this – stay tuned for my response.

One thing is clearer than ever: we need to turn Congress around in 2012!”

She promises to post her response soon.

The only thing more offensive than Mitt Romney’s attacks on women’s health…

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“The only thing more offensive than Mitt Romney’s attacks on women’s health…

…is the hypocrisy of Mitt Romney justifying getting rid of Planned Parenthood on fiscal grounds. Planned Parenthood represents 0.01% of the federal budget. Mitt Romney proposing we cut funding for Planned Parenthood while proposing a $5 trillion tax plan that gives massive tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires while adding to the deficit is the height of hypocrisy even for Mitt Romney,” said Ray Buckley, Chair of the NH Democrats at last night’s McIntrye-Shaheen dinner.

Legislation to watch: Contraception Coverage Law (HB1546)

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Repeal of 12 year Bipartisan Contraception Coverage Law (HB1546)

  • Republicans have tacked an amendment onto an unrelated bill, HB1546, that will repeal a bipartisan law passed in 1999 under a Republican House.  The Roll Call in 1999 was 243-85. At the time, nearly every member of the GOP House Leadership voted for the bill. 6 Republicans in O’Brien’s Leadership were members and voted for the bill 12 years ago.
  • This legislation would allow a woman’s employer to deny her access to contraceptives.
  • This is not about Religious freedom. It is nothing less than an attack on basic health care – not just a woman’s health care – but her family’s as well. It suggests that politicians can make better health decisions for individuals and families than they can themselves in consultation with their doctors.
  • Ensuring fair coverage for contraception in any plan that covers prescription drugs was the right policy in 1999; it is the right policy today. It was not a partisan issue then. It should not be a partisan issue today.
  • Despite the bill’s effectiveness for the last 12 years, Republicans in Concord now say they will work to repeal it, thereby limiting access to contraception for thousands of women across our state.