For Immediate Release
May 26, 2009

Contact: Matt Sande, Director of Legislation, cell (262) 352-0890;
Or Peggy Hamill, State Director, (262) 796-1111, cell (414) 416-0489

State Budget Committee Rams Through Birth Control Mandates in Dark of Night
Measures would force pharmacies to dispense contraceptives and private and public health plans to cover contraceptives

In a bold move, Democrats on the state’s budget-writing committee inserted two controversial social policy items in the biennial budget bill late Saturday night of Memorial Day Weekend. Introduced as separate bills in past legislative sessions, the items have not been a part of the budget discussion this year. Both measures are part of Planned Parenthood’s 2009-10 legislative agenda. Both passed the Joint Finance Committee on party-line votes with the four minority Republicans voting in opposition, specifically Senators Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) and Representatives Phil Montgomery (R-Green Bay) and Robin Vos (R-Racine).

The first measure, offered by Senator Judy Robson (D-Beloit) and Representative Gary Sherman (D-Port Wing), would force all Wisconsin pharmacies to dispense prescribed contraceptive drugs or devices “without delay.” Contraceptives are defined to include any drug or device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that is used to “prevent pregnancy,” including those restricted to distribution by pharmacies such as the morning-after pill. Violators would face up to $2,500 in forfeitures for each violation. The measure passed 12-4.

“This budget motion is a bold attack on the lawful conscience rights of pro-life pharmacy professionals,” said Peggy Hamill, Pro-Life Wisconsin’s state director. “Pharmacists, like doctors and nurses, are valued members of the professional health care team who should not be forced to choose between their consciences and their livelihoods. It is appalling that the Democrats on the budget committee would ram through such a sweeping policy change in the dark of night. It is appalling that they would stick the measure in the budget with zero opportunity by those affected to voice their opposition in a public hearing. This is power politics at its absolute worst.

The second measure, offered by Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) and Representative Cory Mason (D-Racine), would force commercial health insurance plans and self-insured governmental health plans (state, county, town, village, or school district) to cover contraceptive drugs and devices. Contraceptives are defined as drugs or devices approved by the FDA to “prevent pregnancy.” The measure passed 11-4.

“Pregnancy is not a disease,” said Hamill. “Why should the government force health insurance companies – and the policy holders who will pay for this expansion through increased premiums – to cover drugs and devices that are purely elective? If a woman doesn’t wish to become pregnant, there are several actions she can take to avoid pregnancy. The real question is who should be responsible for her choices. In the eyes of Planned Parenthood and the pro-abortion movement, we should all foot the bill for the choices she makes.”

Hormonal contraceptives, including the morning-after pill, the Pill, and the Patch, do not always prevent fertilization. Instead, they can act to induce early abortions by chemically preventing implantation of the newly conceived human embryo. Many of these drugs and devices also have serious, sometimes deadly, side-effects.

“It’s ironic that the same individuals who argue so stridently against government intrusion in our private lives are leading the charge for these mandates,” concluded Hamill. “Isn’t it all about choice? Apparently not for pro-life pharmacists, health insurers and patients. Thankfully, the Republicans on the committee refused to tow Planned Parenthood’s line. We applaud Senators Darling and Olsen and Representatives Montgomery and Vos for their ‘No’ votes.”

Once the Joint Finance Committee adopts its version of the biennial budget bill, the legislation (Assembly Bill 75) will proceed to the State Assembly.

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