Women's Health Issues

Panelists talked about women’s health care accessibility and the government’s role in the funding of reproductive services. Some of the issues they discussed the affordability of contraceptives, “personhood” initiatives in some states, religious issues, the use of birth control as a politically partisan issue, and Planned Parenthood. The panelists also answered questions from audience members about “botched abortions” being performed by Planned Parenthood, health risks associated with birth control, the dangers of government extension of power, and alternatives to traditional contraception such as natural family planning.

One of the panelists, Sandra Fluke, received national attention after she was barred from testifying at a House Oversight Committee hearing on insurance companies' coverage of contraception, and was the subject of derogatory comments by radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. close