As we all know, Oklahoma is one of the best states in the country when it comes to shaming women for getting totally legally, constitutionally protected, medical procedures. I guess then we shouldn't be too surprised that our state leaders passed a law that will require hospitals, public schools and even restaurants to display bathroom signage that will help out state become "an abortion-free society."
Via The AP:
Oklahoma plans to force hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants and public schools to post signs inside public restrooms directing pregnant women where to receive services as part of an effort to reduce abortions in the state.
The State Board of Health will consider regulations for the signs on Tuesday. Businesses and other organizations will have to pay an estimated $2.3 million to put up the signs because the Legislature didn't approve any money for them.
The provision for the signs was tucked into a law that the Legislature passed this year that requires the state to develop informational material "for the purpose of achieving an abortion-free society." The signs must be posted by January 2018.
Before we continue, I have one quick question. This applies only to women's restrooms, right? Patriarchy and double standards are part of Oklahoma's common law, so I assume that's the case, but I just wanted to make sure. The last thing a man wants or needs to be reminded about while using a restaurant bathroom are moral responsibilities and the consequences of his actions.
Here's more:
Groups representing hospitals and restaurants are among those complaining that the new requirements are an expensive, unfunded mandate from the Legislature.
"We don't have any concern about the information they're trying to get out to women about their babies and their pregnancy. This is just the wrong way to do it," said Jim Hooper, president of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association. "It's just another mandate on small businesses. It's not just restaurants. It includes hospitals, nursing homes. It just doesn't make sense."
Ha ha ha! Say it with me in your deepest, darkest Bane voice "How do you like your creation now, Chamber of Commerce Republicans!?!" You're fine with shaming women for making private, deeply personal decisions about their own body, but only if it doesn't inconvenience you or hurt your bottom-line. It's about time the pro-life folks start doing stuff that affects the big business conservatives who enabled them.
The anti-abortion group Oklahomans for Life requested the bill. The sponsor, Sen. A.J. Griffin, said she may revise the measure in the upcoming legislative session to more narrowly target it to exclude some facilities.
"I do see how it is going to need to be tempered a tad," said Griffin, a Republican from Guthrie. "We need to make sure we have something that's reasonable and still effective."
If Sen. Griffin is looking for something that's reasonable and effective in creating "an abortion-free society," maybe she should consider passing a law that requires restrooms to be stocked with morning after pills, condoms or do it yourself IUDs. Considering those items help prevent unwanted pregnancies, that's probably the easiest way to "achieve an abortion free society."
Then again, that's a logical, practical viewpoint that doesn't fit a pandering political ideology. Let's just stick with bathroom signage that says this instead....
Under the law, the signs would state: "There are many public and private agencies willing and able to help you carry your child to term and assist you and your child after your child is born, whether you choose to keep your child or to place him or her for adoption. The State of Oklahoma strongly urges you to contact them if you are pregnant." The signs would also include a link to the Health Department's website.
When they "temper this a tad," can they remove the health department's website. If our state's Republican leadership has its way, there won't be a health department around that's able to assist the mom or child after the child is born.
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