Since Nebraska has seen fit to deny it's citizens reproductive freedom, I have written to Danielle Conrad (Sate legislature NE-46) and asked her to introduce two new bills.
Text of letter below the fold.
Senator Conrad.
I am not a Nebraskan, but am a concerned U.S. Citizen.
In light of the two laws passed this week designed to infringe on the reproductive freedom of Nebraskans, I think it is important to make sure that the state promises to care for the children it is forcing on your populace.
I would like to recommend that you introduce two new bills to the legislature:
1.) Please introduce a bill that guarantees universal prenatal care, including mental health services to residents of Nebraska. While various state and federal programs provide for many women to get this much needed care, access is not universal. Nebraska has taken a bold step in denying it's citizens their reproductive freedom. Those who are forced to bear children they do not want should not have to bear the cost of prenatal care alone.
2.) Introduce a bill guaranteeing universal health care, regardless of the child's physical or mental conditions for the first 5 years of a child's life and corresponding care for the child's mother for one year after birth. Mental health services should be included in this program too.
Too many law makers in our nation, and specifically in your state are ebnt on forcing women to have children they do not want, and can not support. One of the laws passed this week implies that a mentally unstable person should be forced to have a child. The State of Nebraska needs to stand behind it's decision to deny that woman her rights, and care for her and her child.
If the Republicans in your legislature balk at supporting the children they insist be born, then you can hammer them on this issue. It is unjust and immoral to force an unhealthy child into the world, and then abandon him and his mother in theor time of need.
Thank you.
XXXX
Long Beach, CA.
p.s. I have posted this recommendation on my favorite political blog.
While traditionally we try to fight laws like this to make them go away, there is no reason to not have universal health care for all children in Nebraska.
Something tells me that the Republicans in Nebraska will refuse to fund any services for the children in their state.
Morality for most of these haters of reproductive freedom stops at the birth canal. Once the child is born, he is on his own (or her own depending)