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France slated to offer abortions for free
Bill passed by parliament reimburses cost for all unwanted pregnancies and provides minors full contraceptive access.
France's lower house has voted to fully reimburse abortions and to make contraception free for minors.
The bill passed by the National Assembly on Friday would make all abortions free and would also pay for contraception for those between 15 and 18.
It will now go to the Senate, where it is likely to pass.
"Women who want to stop an unwanted pregnancy have the right to be covered. The enactment of the right to choose to halt a pregnancy is an obligatory state service,'' the bill says.
National medical insurance currently pays in full for abortions only for minors and the poor, while other women are reimbursed for up to 80 per cent of the procedure's total cost, which can be as much as $580.
Contraception is partially reimbursed.
Some groups complain that price is only one impediment to abortion access. They say too few doctors offer the procedure and there needs to be more information about who does.
Under the bill, reimbursements would not go beyond $580 and some medical service providers in France charge more than that for an abortion.
While some segments of French society oppose the right to abortion, the issue rarely makes headlines.
France is among the European countries that allow minors to have abortions without parental consent, and in 1988, was the first country to introduce RU-486, which terminates pregnancy by causing the embryo to detach from the uterine wall.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/10/2012102721627831625.html
France's lower house has voted to fully reimburse abortions and to make contraception free for minors.
The bill passed by the National Assembly on Friday would make all abortions free and would also pay for contraception for those between 15 and 18.
It will now go to the Senate, where it is likely to pass.
"Women who want to stop an unwanted pregnancy have the right to be covered. The enactment of the right to choose to halt a pregnancy is an obligatory state service,'' the bill says.
National medical insurance currently pays in full for abortions only for minors and the poor, while other women are reimbursed for up to 80 per cent of the procedure's total cost, which can be as much as $580.
Contraception is partially reimbursed.
Some groups complain that price is only one impediment to abortion access. They say too few doctors offer the procedure and there needs to be more information about who does.
Under the bill, reimbursements would not go beyond $580 and some medical service providers in France charge more than that for an abortion.
While some segments of French society oppose the right to abortion, the issue rarely makes headlines.
France is among the European countries that allow minors to have abortions without parental consent, and in 1988, was the first country to introduce RU-486, which terminates pregnancy by causing the embryo to detach from the uterine wall.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/10/2012102721627831625.html
Raging hormones, that's what does it !
I always think of a lovely women that was a member of MH for years and sometimes also chimed in in this group. Loving mom, completely and utterly devoted to her kids. Strong relationship with them. I believe all this about her as I got to know her quite well. Despite all of that, her daughter did get pregnant as a teen. Of course her mother stood behind her 100%, but often wrote about the negativity her and her daughter received from others. It was hard. So I know that the best parenting in the world, and the most open and honest relationship in the world won't necessarily stop young people from having sex, or not using the proper protection. I think all we can really do is the best we can, then keep our fingers crossed. Your story is a good reminder of that OH. And you are right.....hope comes into play a lot I suspect. These years are still ahead of me and I do worry already.
Thank you.
Here's the true confessions part, something I haven't shared with others.
Despite my daughter coming to me for help getting birth control, I found out some things later that make me believe she already was sexually active before she talked to me.
I'm glad she could get condoms at her school !
Better free condoms than an unwanted pregnancy or STD, whether I knew or not.
At some point our kids have to make their own decisions. We have to hope our good parenting during the early years will teach them how to decide intelligently for themselves.
Here's the true confessions part, something I haven't shared with others.
Despite my daughter coming to me for help getting birth control, I found out some things later that make me believe she already was sexually active before she talked to me.
I'm glad she could get condoms at her school !
Better free condoms than an unwanted pregnancy or STD, whether I knew or not.
At some point our kids have to make their own decisions. We have to hope our good parenting during the early years will teach them how to decide intelligently for themselves.
Truth is, no matter how open you are with your kids, some kids still will not feel comfortable talking to mom and/or dad about sex. Then there are the parents who refuse to discuss the issue. They exist sadly. I do believe that most parents are doing what they feel is right for their families, but it just isn't always effective.
I am very pro easy access to birth control AND good information for our young people. The mom in me also wants to be the person to work with my son on these decisions, no question about it. And I hope he will come to me when the time comes (gulp). However, if for some reason he feels he can't or is just to embarrassed, I would prefer his info come from another trusted adult then on the schoolyard. And I want him to have easy access to condoms, etc. I hate that it might be that way, but better that then the alternatives in my opinion.
I am very pro easy access to birth control AND good information for our young people. The mom in me also wants to be the person to work with my son on these decisions, no question about it. And I hope he will come to me when the time comes (gulp). However, if for some reason he feels he can't or is just to embarrassed, I would prefer his info come from another trusted adult then on the schoolyard. And I want him to have easy access to condoms, etc. I hate that it might be that way, but better that then the alternatives in my opinion.
That is pretty much the truth of the matter.....what OH has stated.
Sex talks are NOT taboo in my home, but in some homes they are.
If you don't have these "open dialogues" with your teens, then things behind your back probably will and do happen.
To add: Our teen pregnancy rates are lower here than in the US. That says alot.
Sex talks are NOT taboo in my home, but in some homes they are.
If you don't have these "open dialogues" with your teens, then things behind your back probably will and do happen.
To add: Our teen pregnancy rates are lower here than in the US. That says alot.
My daughter at 16 asked me to make an appointment at planned parenthood for her.
Inwardly, I gulped while outwardly replying, 'of course.'
Her high school gave out condoms free, no questions asked which I thought was great.
Not every girl or boy, for that matter, feels able to discuss sexual matters with their parents.
If they are sexually active, they should still have the ability to protect themselves from both STDs and pregnancy.
The reality is many many teens are sexually active and do not discuss it with their parents.
And that's the mom in me talking :)
Inwardly, I gulped while outwardly replying, 'of course.'
Her high school gave out condoms free, no questions asked which I thought was great.
Not every girl or boy, for that matter, feels able to discuss sexual matters with their parents.
If they are sexually active, they should still have the ability to protect themselves from both STDs and pregnancy.
The reality is many many teens are sexually active and do not discuss it with their parents.
And that's the mom in me talking :)
I agree with you that the first line of defense should be education and even birth control although I don't believe it should be given to underage persons without parental consent. That is just the mother in me though and not political.
You sure do give "food for thought."
My pro life friends are against the death penalty. My religion is against euthenasia of any sort.
I agree that wikipeadia though often interesting is not the last word in facts, especially since anyone can and does contribute to it.
Nobody talks about abortion as birth control, although there is no doubt that it does keep the population down as any means of preventing birth does.
Education and affordable birth control should always be the first line of defense in keeping our numbers down.
The argument about people here being opposed to abortion not wanting their tax dollars spend on it, could be expanded to the many things individuals or groups of people don't want their tax dollars spent on.
For example, I don't want mine spent on drones, or more nuclear weapons, or wars.
If people are pro-life shouldn't they be concerned about the quality of life for those of us already living here on the planet ? You might think they'd also be opposed to the death penalty.
Nobody talks about abortion as birth control, although there is no doubt that it does keep the population down as any means of preventing birth does.
Education and affordable birth control should always be the first line of defense in keeping our numbers down.
The argument about people here being opposed to abortion not wanting their tax dollars spend on it, could be expanded to the many things individuals or groups of people don't want their tax dollars spent on.
For example, I don't want mine spent on drones, or more nuclear weapons, or wars.
If people are pro-life shouldn't they be concerned about the quality of life for those of us already living here on the planet ? You might think they'd also be opposed to the death penalty.
LOL, never said anything about SM's articulation.....just made a comment about the tax statement. Anyways......lol.
You are truly assuming a whole lot about what people are doing here in regards to bc and abortions being that you DON'T live here.
I am not here to discuss any Obama policies or the American democratic party, etc. You should make another post for that. No interest at all to do that.
And yes, in no way, shape or form can you compare the two countries.
That's ok dear because it is MY euros going for this not yours. I am giving this the "thumbs up" to do this with MY euros. I am PRO CHOICE. You are entitled to be whatever it is you want to be just as I am.
As I have stated there are "pro-life" people in France too......not everyone is walking around claiming to be "pro-choice" and wanting this.
This will probably pass here in my opinion.
You are truly assuming a whole lot about what people are doing here in regards to bc and abortions being that you DON'T live here.
I am not here to discuss any Obama policies or the American democratic party, etc. You should make another post for that. No interest at all to do that.
And yes, in no way, shape or form can you compare the two countries.
That's ok dear because it is MY euros going for this not yours. I am giving this the "thumbs up" to do this with MY euros. I am PRO CHOICE. You are entitled to be whatever it is you want to be just as I am.
As I have stated there are "pro-life" people in France too......not everyone is walking around claiming to be "pro-choice" and wanting this.
This will probably pass here in my opinion.
Last post was to you.
Yes, you are absolutely correct. My husband and I are in a higher tax bracket and I am ok with that as I don't believe my euros are being squandered. I will agree Canada and France are similiar in these regards.
If abortions are not being used as a form of birth control...as in, when people decide they aren't going to bother with condoms or the pill and SURPRISE! They're pregnant!....then I'm not sure what else to call it. That sure seems like BC to me.
SM articulates very well the issue about pro-life vs pro-choice, and why MANY people in the US wouldn't be okay with their tax money going towards funding abortions. While I'm in the middle of the issues, personally, I would agree.
.....not like in the USA where the affluent and privilege are getting tax cuts. That's all I have to say about that.
LOL, according to our dems, not under Obama!! ;0)
Different strokes for different folks for sure.
Two countries that are structured very differently, it's kind of difficult to compare the two.
SM articulates very well the issue about pro-life vs pro-choice, and why MANY people in the US wouldn't be okay with their tax money going towards funding abortions. While I'm in the middle of the issues, personally, I would agree.
.....not like in the USA where the affluent and privilege are getting tax cuts. That's all I have to say about that.
LOL, according to our dems, not under Obama!! ;0)
Different strokes for different folks for sure.
Two countries that are structured very differently, it's kind of difficult to compare the two.
It sounds like our countries tax policies are very similar. You do pay a higher percentage here too if you are in a higher tax bracket. My household is about the middle, and I'm ok with that. I recently met a couple from France - they were fairly new to Canada, and said much is the same in terms of taxes and political policies. Interesting.
Absolutely Adgal.
Sorry.....wikipedia isn't really the "bible" in regards to information about taxes in France. I LIVE here. In this country if you make a substantial amount of money you are going to pay the high taxes.....not like in the USA where the affluent and privilege are getting tax cuts. That's all I have to say about that.
I am pro choice and have NO problem with this.
Thanks Orphanedhawk for this post.
I am pro choice and have NO problem with this.
Thanks Orphanedhawk for this post.
SM, I think the healthcare debate (national vs privatized) is always where you and I find ourselves the furthest apart isn't it....lol.
I agree...higher taxes aren't good. However, the higher tax would be offset by what you are currently paying in premiums. I bet it would work out about the same.
I will also say that I'm glad we have this procedure covered, I really am. It is treated as a medical issue and women are given a high standard of care should they seek this out. And again, I will say, it is rarely being used for birth control. What I mean is, it's rarely a calleous decision made because mom doesn't care. For most it's a huge decision and not made lightly.
I agree...higher taxes aren't good. However, the higher tax would be offset by what you are currently paying in premiums. I bet it would work out about the same.
I will also say that I'm glad we have this procedure covered, I really am. It is treated as a medical issue and women are given a high standard of care should they seek this out. And again, I will say, it is rarely being used for birth control. What I mean is, it's rarely a calleous decision made because mom doesn't care. For most it's a huge decision and not made lightly.
We have a very strong pro life group of people in the US and their objection is that they do not want their taxes to go for abortions. It is more complex here than the cost of it. Whether one agrees or not, as I am in the middle of the issue, there are pro choice people and pro life people here and that is really what the problem is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_rates_around_the_world
I know, yours goes up to 29%. There is a really handy chart. The average tax rate in the US is 15% and up to 35%. We just can't afford more taxes in the US. (at least, I can't.)
I normally just skim through this forum, but since I saw something about France, I wanted to comment. I am not one to "stomach" politics.
I will totally agree with Orphanhawk that we are a progressive country.
Sorry SM, love you and all....but you aren't really correct about the taxes here. Plus, that isn't really the point here.
NG.......this isn't about using "abortion as a form of birth control." This is about giving patients options without having to worry about costs.
All our tax money isn't going towards "funding abortions." To add, we don't have a serious health care coverage issue going on here as you all have in the US.
I am willing to pay higher taxes if it means EVERYONE will be able to have medical coverage.
That's two cents coming from a Parisian.
Vive la France!
I will totally agree with Orphanhawk that we are a progressive country.
Sorry SM, love you and all....but you aren't really correct about the taxes here. Plus, that isn't really the point here.
NG.......this isn't about using "abortion as a form of birth control." This is about giving patients options without having to worry about costs.
All our tax money isn't going towards "funding abortions." To add, we don't have a serious health care coverage issue going on here as you all have in the US.
I am willing to pay higher taxes if it means EVERYONE will be able to have medical coverage.
That's two cents coming from a Parisian.
Vive la France!
But we already have this in Canada and have for a very very long time....at least 20 years. And our tax rate is not 75%.....not even close. Sorry my friend, but had to point that out cause I'm me! lol.
We have an overpopulated planet that absolutely no one here wants to discuss.
Let's discuss it! Pregnancy is is 100% preventable, and there are many ways to keep from having unwanted children, abortion, IMO, shouldn't be one of them.
That being said, I do understand birth control fails, it happened to me with my daughter, but again, I just don't think abortion should be a form of birth control.
Let's discuss it! Pregnancy is is 100% preventable, and there are many ways to keep from having unwanted children, abortion, IMO, shouldn't be one of them.
That being said, I do understand birth control fails, it happened to me with my daughter, but again, I just don't think abortion should be a form of birth control.
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