Quick hit: Anti-choicers split on Medicaid expansion

Anti-choice organizations seem to be split on their support of the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, which expands access to health care for the poorest Americans. Putting aside that abortion care actually is health care (despite the highly unjust restriction on federal funding of abortion care), it seems that the more extreme anti-choice organizations in particular are not very excited about expanding general access to health care for the poor.

Citing Paula Westwood, the executive director for Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati, Irin Carmon writes:

So why oppose more poor people getting health insurance coverage? “What Medicaid expansion will do is place thousands of people on the rolls that are able-bodied, primarily men, and that opens up a whole another can of worms for disincentives for work and healthy lifestyles for these people,” said Westwood. She pointed out that Ohio’s Medicaid program automatically enrolls pregnant women who meet the income requirements, as well as their children until age 18. For low-income mothers themselves, that coverage currently ends a few weeks after giving birth.

As an example of how the program would change if Medicaid were expanded, Westwood cited a restaurant worker without employer-provided insurance being covered on Medicaid. Wasn’t that person already working? “I’m not going to get into specifics. I’m not trying to go after restaurant workers,” said Westwood.

…charming.

The Cincinnati anti-choice organization profiled in this story, which is opposing Medicaid expansion, also opposes contraception. The Ohio anti-choice organization profiled which does not take a position on contraception, however, does support Medicaid expansion in their state.

Veronica is an immigrant queer writer, domestic artist, and music video enthusiast.