MADISON, Wis. (Wisconsin Radio Network) — Republicans in the state Assembly advance a bill requiring providers to bill Medicaid only for the actual acquisition costs and dispensing fees for birth control drugs.
GOP Representative Andre Jacques insists this it does not prohibit access “But again, it is something that interfaces very well with the modus operandi of Planned Parenthood nationally, which is to find ways to bilk taxpayers out of more and more dollars where they operate at a tremendous profit.”
The change would cost Planned Parenthood an estimated four and a half million per year, and Democrats charge it will restrict access. Madison Democratic Representative Chris Taylor opposed the bill, saying, “Policy after policy that we see in this body is aimed at rolling back access to birth control, and you know what the result is? The result is an increase in the unintended pregnancy rate and an increase in the abortion rate.”
The Assembly passed the bill 61-35. Senate Republicans passed it last month. It now goes to Governor Scott Walker for his signature.
by Bob Hague
