A recent push to block women from getting access to contraception shows the Arizona legislature is not operating from an evidence-based or reality-based point of view.
The legislature's recent actions actively create problems rather than trying to solve them. And, at best, they are wasting our time.
Whenever I've had to make a major decision as a doctor, cop or for a company I've worked for, I ask myself: What is the value proposition here? Will my decision bring added value to the population I have the privilege to serve?
These questions are clearly not being considered by the folks I like to call the "chronic politicians" at our state capitol and in Washington.
We have real problems here in Arizona, and there are reasonable and politically possible solutions to them. But it's pretty clear that solving problems isn't what these politicians hope to do. Instead, they seem intent on scoring political points rather than solving the problem.
Trying to block women from getting access to contraception or defunding Planned Parenthood is completely nonsensical from a policy standpoint. As the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, I can say without hesitation that these bills would be bad for public health and deleterious to the health of women.
The fact is that a bill allowing any employer to deny insurance coverage based on a moral objection -- along with giving an employer permission to ask for medical records showing why a woman is taking birth control -- opens up a set of problems that I'm sure its sponsors have not fully considered.
Do any of us actually want to live in a world where your boss can decide that he or she is morally opposed to mental health care? What if your employer was morally opposed to getting x-rays or antibiotics? How about just being forced to disclose your private medical information to your employer? Does any of that sound like something you want to do?
I sure don't want to live with that system, and I'd be willing to bet that most Democrats and Republicans don't either. What we're missing in this conversation is any kind of commitment to thoughtful policymaking.
When you follow these proposals to their logical conclusion, they make absolutely no sense. It's only if you're being whipped into a partisan frenzy and shouting canned talking points that any of this stuff even appears to have legitimacy.
I understand and support the exemption for religious groups not wanting to be involved in certain practices. But as the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, and now as a physician, I would want to ensure that -- notwithstanding the religious exemption -- all women who choose to do so have the opportunity to acquire comprehensive reproductive health care.
That's called finding a reasonable compromise - it's what our democracy is predicated on, our political leaders are supposed to do and what the people expect of us. There's nothing to compromise over with these bills the legislature is moving forward, and there's no legitimate policy reasoning behind them.
Richard Carmona is the 17th Surgeon General of the United States and a Democratic candidate for Senate in Arizona. Learn more about Rich on his website, carmonaforarizona.com.
Follow Richard H. Carmona, M.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/carmonaforAZ
BUT………………
I am currently working in the Philippines building a plant for our COLORADO owned and registered company.
WHERE this is a problem, you might ask???
I am an AMERICAN CITIZEN
With a REGISTERED US ADDRESS
I pay my US TAXES
Can legally, and do vote in AMERICAN ELECTIONS, including for Barack Obama!
I have a US CREDIT CARD
So NO PROBLEM!!! Right?
WRONG. I am subject to IP DISCRIMINATION. THIS IS CORRECT. I AM BEING DESCRIMINATED AGAINST BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
HOW you might ask? SIMPLE…………..
As my IP is not within the bounds of the UNITED STATES OR CANADA, your sight won’t accept my donations. ABSOLUTELY no provision is made to allow me, a CITIZEN to do so, when not within country.
Who does this EXCLUDE??? Every CITIZEN, traveling abroad, on assignment for their US COMPANY, or even MILITARY.
This in effect is also a VIOLATION OF MY 1ST AMMENDMENT RIGHTS, as I can NOT voice MY choice, through the support of the CANDIDATES I choose to support.
THIS HELPS LOOSE THE ELECTIONS. It gives POWER to the egregious right that strives to destroy AMERICA, where we are supposed to have this right, but because of location, WE DON’T.
SHAME on you
SHAME on this system that chooses to DISCRIMINATE because of FEAR.
SHAME on those that decide our rights DO NOT MATTER anymore.
Why yes, I believe they do.
Happens EVERYDAY in Arizona.
; )
:)
It would be really informative if more doctors who understand this issue spoke out in the public forum.
What do they think about legislatures prescribing unnecessary and unwanted medical procedures?
Do they think it's OK for doctors to read scripts written by legislatures that includes falsehoods and half truths? Or any scripts written by non doctors or anyone other than the individal doctor?
As they say, inquiring minds want to know,
I know these people would love a solution also.