Why is the administration of life-saving techniques linked in any way with religious rules, morality or "goodness?" The evil of denying life in the service of preconceived notions of justification cancels any good from religious observance. I think of the woman who suffered from a flow of blood for years, and Jesus turned at her touch, said, "Who touched me?" and healed her.
25
What I want to know is why aren't there three dollar test/treatment combos available to women in Tulsa?
31
Thank you, Mr. Kristof, for highlighting this important topic. Women's health should be a key issue for all people, not just women. I find that so many individuals do not remember a time when women regularly died during childbirth or shortly afterward, when any cancer of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, or breasts meant a painful death, and when women died after having back-room abortions. Planned Parenthood offers care for women who would otherwise have no access, and regular health screens, like Pap smears, save lives. It is beyond my comprehension why any person who values life would not value access to medical care.
76
If this stands, it will prove that we Americans are brutish, caring little for those in a vulnerable position. This is because absolutist positions yield intolerable people who only care for the rich and well endowed.
32
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have dedicated $100 million to Ivanka Trump's new Foundation (oh my, the hypocrisy is crushing!) dedicated to women in business....how about we save their lives first, Ms. Trump.
60
For me, what is most maddening is that I don't believe there is an iota of conviction behind Trump's actions. He identified this as a campaign issue that he could use to win votes from individuals who otherwise would find him completely odious. Now he's following through regardless of the harm he is doing to millions of individuals. Trump, I believe, has no religious or moral convictions other than self-aggrandizement.
56
Every word written here is true. But: journalists everywhere have got to stop writing about this issue, and explore instead why tens of millions of American women vote for a party that would deny them reproductive healthcare---and why an even greater number of women and men vote for a party/leader who would deny elemental health care to all. Until this functional consumer behavior is understood--and I don't believe upper-middle class pundits are the ones who can do it--we will continue to see the erosion of healthcare, and a concomitant (yet preventable) fall in life expectancy. We get the problem; now, journalists/pundits/political strategists: please explore the why.
33
Why are WE responsible for the health of the world's women?
Where is the UN? Where are the churches?
Where is the UN? Where are the churches?
4
Your compassion is touching. Where are the churches? You mean the organized religions that keep women down? Do you really think they'd lift a finger to help women? Unbelievable...
65
Did you even READ the article? Mr. Kristoff wrote that "A third is his [Trump's] cutoff of funds for the United Nations Population Fund, which is a major international player in reducing deaths from cervical cancer."
He goes on to write that the UNPF is working with an "outstanding non-profit" in Haiti to screen women for cervical cancer, and provide an immediate cure to those in the earliest stages for just THREE DOLLARS.
The better question to ask is, "Why am I so uncharitable in my thoughts about poor women both in the United States and elsewhere."
He goes on to write that the UNPF is working with an "outstanding non-profit" in Haiti to screen women for cervical cancer, and provide an immediate cure to those in the earliest stages for just THREE DOLLARS.
The better question to ask is, "Why am I so uncharitable in my thoughts about poor women both in the United States and elsewhere."
52
All of this because a bunch of self-righteous, self-serving men and women think they have the right to control, demean and condemn women to a life of various miseries, to make forced birth the law, resulting in neglected children with unhealthy and/or absent mothers making them orphans. It's beyond outrage.
Tell you what guys - and I'm especially talking to the Mike Pences of trump's America - let's pass a law that says all males over the age of 35 must receive vasectomies, proof of same must be provided in order to receive a drivers license and fines levied for every month of non-compliance. Oh and zero ED drugs for anyone not married, also requiring proof of license. How's that for a start since you're so willing to insist on having the fun and have us little 'wimin' pay for it with our very lives.
Women are not cattle or chattel and we're damned tired of being treated like we are. Got it?
Tell you what guys - and I'm especially talking to the Mike Pences of trump's America - let's pass a law that says all males over the age of 35 must receive vasectomies, proof of same must be provided in order to receive a drivers license and fines levied for every month of non-compliance. Oh and zero ED drugs for anyone not married, also requiring proof of license. How's that for a start since you're so willing to insist on having the fun and have us little 'wimin' pay for it with our very lives.
Women are not cattle or chattel and we're damned tired of being treated like we are. Got it?
97
I salute you, Deb!
I am male and I am more than often embarrassed by how men generally think and behave.
I agree with what you are saying. Your's is one of the good ways to treat the neanderthals.
I am male and I am more than often embarrassed by how men generally think and behave.
I agree with what you are saying. Your's is one of the good ways to treat the neanderthals.
28
Thank you once again, Mr. Kristof. Just THANK YOU.
52
Thank you for posting this column, Mr. Kristof. It was painfully difficult for me to read. It is so hard to understand why the Trump Administration would willfully want to decimate women's health issues. It would seem as if they think women do not deserve to be healthy. Obviously, there is something terribly wrong with their thinking.
42
Yes. Trump signed the defunding directives. But, he has a whole coterie of fellow travelers that push this kind cruel, senselessness in every Republican administration with varying success. When we write of this atrocity we should name names. These people should face the glare of the spotlight from all of us, not just the warm glow they get in their "safe" congressional districts.
And, yes, it is true that all of us, fathers, sons, husbands, daughters, mothers and sisters bear the consequences of these needless, preventable tragedies.
And, yes, it is true that all of us, fathers, sons, husbands, daughters, mothers and sisters bear the consequences of these needless, preventable tragedies.
36
Women of the World, unite, you have nothing to lose except your chains.
40
Trump gets a kick out of groping women's genitals. Why would he care about women's reproductive cancer?
39
Dems: This is what happens when you can't be bothered to actually vote, OR you're pouting because you didn't get your perfect pony. Please, grow up and really think about others. Being the center of the universe is usually a GOP trait. Please, do better.
28
What? You mean, if Nick Kristof went home to Yamhill again to see the super special just plain folks in his hometown, they would all say, "This is terrible. How can Donald Trump be behind a 'war on women'? I shouldn't have voted for him." Right.
7
The truth is the evangelical right in the United states does not care who dies as long as they can force their anti-abortion views onto every one else. Also their biggest sin is if a person decides to have the baby Evangelical's to nothing to support that child in life. They could care less if the children go hungry.
50
But those are mere ungodly, sinning women, disgusting females having periods who actually (whisper) have sex! They got all humanity thrown our of the Garden of Eden, they listened to the snake, and they must be punished! It's all the girls fault! Anyone who talks to God knows this to be immutable truth. Ask that girl at the "Christian University".
29
All you have to do is look at that photo of the old white men sitting around a conference table making laws that can save or kill women and then read the callous, hate filled comments they make in response to our outrage and you know that it's not Trump. He is complicit but totally unprincipled and blows with their hot air. It's the fundamentalist, misogynist, republicans who condemn so many of us around the world to premature death.
2
In Saudi Arabia Trump says We are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership — based on shared interests and values — to pursue a better future for us all. Trump has the best words but doesn't mean them for the female population of the earth
33
We do not lack the resources, we just don't have access to them. They are horded in offshore accounts by the 1%, bankers, hedge fund managers, multi national companies that do not pay their US taxes. Trump, Ryan and the Republicans have a singular focus funneling more wealth to the wealthy. They are not going to change. We need to change them out in the next election.
36
Excellent column. Trump's insane war on women's health, women's rights of conscience and women's religious liberty should be enough to unite all thinking, caring Americans against his continuing in office.
40
Mr. Kristof: Great article. Thank you for your sensitivity and compassion. I sincerely (no, desperately) hope Donald Trump and his minions will change and understand your point. If I am wrong I will apologize, but I believe it was the women's vote that contributed greatly to elect. Many of those who voted for him will struggle, maybe even die of cervical cancer or other health issues connected with women's health. If I were an editorialist or pundit, I would spend all of my time and influence persuading voters to stop voting against their best interests. I promise as a man never to vote for someone who denies the existence of prostate cancer or the need for its early detection. That would be against my best interests. How could any woman even think of voting for a person who would deny choice and flagrantly take aim at Roe v. Wade? Mr. Kristof, please stop worrying about what Trump may or may not do. Start talking to and with women about the importance of their vote and how it is connected with the best interests of themselves, their daughters, their sisters, their aunts, their gramma's and other vulnerables.
23
I asked a well-educated father of 4 boys whether he planned to vaccinate his sons against HPV - a major cause of cervical cancer. He hadn't heard of the disease or the vaccine. He agreed, though, that even though boys may be less likely to get HPV-related cancers, having a daughter-in-law leave one of his sons widowed with children - potentially caused by his son as an HPV carrier - would devastate their family.
28
I cannot, in this comment, communicate adequately the level of my outrage. I have come to firmly believe that the Republican Party has attracted and is now defined by men who hate women. Such men are plentiful. I belong to a large, global, Buddhist community of Western practitioners. Misogynists exist even within this group of people espousing and embracing compassion as a practice. We have given these men (and the unconscious women who support them) enough of a pass. It is time to put down our collective foot. Women shall not continue to die so that men can have another momentary fix of "I'm superior." These men need to be brought to account and now. Thank you for this article. Let's make sure all our representatives and senators read it.
Thank you, Mr. Kristoff, for this article. I was spared an early death just in the last month, as a routine test found a deadly cancer when it was only 1 millimeter in size. It was easily removed and I was pronounced cured by the doctors. Had that tiny bit of cancer not been found, I could easily have been dead in 5 years of a very painful and hard-to-cure malignancy. The incident made me even more mindful of the gross injustices of our health system here, and abroad, as your excellent article illustrates. What one party approaches as political football and ideological gamesmanship, the other party realizes is about nothing less than life and death.
How is it that these so-called "Christians" are willing to consign innocent people to a terrible death? For heaven's sake, the vinegar cure could be used even here in the US. It is not a monetary issue. There actions demonstrate hatred of women, plain and simple. As a moderate by nature, it's hard for me to say that, but the evidence is overwhelming. The current Republican regime's only coherent and consistent message and actions have one thing in common, to hurt people who are not white men. If one looks clearly at the actions of this group, this horrifying conclusion is unavoidable. The sad irony is that the folks who voted for Trump will be the first to suffer..
How is it that these so-called "Christians" are willing to consign innocent people to a terrible death? For heaven's sake, the vinegar cure could be used even here in the US. It is not a monetary issue. There actions demonstrate hatred of women, plain and simple. As a moderate by nature, it's hard for me to say that, but the evidence is overwhelming. The current Republican regime's only coherent and consistent message and actions have one thing in common, to hurt people who are not white men. If one looks clearly at the actions of this group, this horrifying conclusion is unavoidable. The sad irony is that the folks who voted for Trump will be the first to suffer..
42
It annoys me incredibly to hear anyone say "Well, I won't use X, so I shouldn't have to pay for it" or to hear anyone say people should not speak of what does not affect them (Yet it seems like a lot of men are just fine speaking against abortion, while not volunteering to care for a baby or pay for prenatal care.) i am a 51 year old woman, married 26 years, and never wanted nor had children. Yet I am happy to pay for all kinds of things I will hever use - education for kids, prostate cancer screening, maternity leave, prenatal care ... That's called being a society.
73
Mr. Kristol, I was diagnosed with class 3 cervical dysplasia in 1984. I lived in Dallas TX at the time and though insured (not adequately) I continued using Planned Parenthood as my primary care giver, because their extremely professional organization made me feel safe and cared about. After this discovery, I received follow-up care and later surgery to extract the tissue that was pre-cancerous. Planned Parenthood saves lives. People who try to inhibit their facilities by protesting Government funding are guilty of hurting women AND future children by limiting their medical choices.
88
So very true. Many women's experience confirm your own....
28
I meant Mr. Kristof in above post.....mea culpa
2
Donald Trump is merely the current face of the Republican war against women--and make no mistake--it's war.
Recently the Guttmacher Institute wrote: "By almost any measure, issues related to reproductive health and rights at the state level received unprecedented attention in 2011. In the 50 states combined, legislators introduced more than 1,100 reproductive health and rights-related provisions . .
"Fully 68% of these new provisions—92 in 24 states—-restrict access to abortion services, a striking increase from last year, when 26% of new provisions restricted abortion. The 92 new abortion restrictions enacted in 2011 shattered the previous record of 34 adopted in 2005." This activity was primarily in RED states.
We were all complacent about the progress of women in this country, but we relaxed too soon. The grotesque misogyny of the Republican party can not be overlooked, nor can we make false equivalencies with other political parties.
There is something so perverted in old white men taking such interest in women's reproductive activities! Let's support more women candidates in the hope that this disturbing trend that we see unfolding in the Trump administration can be defeated.
Recently the Guttmacher Institute wrote: "By almost any measure, issues related to reproductive health and rights at the state level received unprecedented attention in 2011. In the 50 states combined, legislators introduced more than 1,100 reproductive health and rights-related provisions . .
"Fully 68% of these new provisions—92 in 24 states—-restrict access to abortion services, a striking increase from last year, when 26% of new provisions restricted abortion. The 92 new abortion restrictions enacted in 2011 shattered the previous record of 34 adopted in 2005." This activity was primarily in RED states.
We were all complacent about the progress of women in this country, but we relaxed too soon. The grotesque misogyny of the Republican party can not be overlooked, nor can we make false equivalencies with other political parties.
There is something so perverted in old white men taking such interest in women's reproductive activities! Let's support more women candidates in the hope that this disturbing trend that we see unfolding in the Trump administration can be defeated.
41
Unfortunately, social and economic Darwinism are here to stay.
Take a look at our healthcare in the USA, where 100's if not thousands of people die daily due to easily preventable medical problems. Right here, right now in OUR very own country.
Take a look at our healthcare in the USA, where 100's if not thousands of people die daily due to easily preventable medical problems. Right here, right now in OUR very own country.
16
As a passionate pro-life woman, it is gratifying to see Planned Parenthood facilities closing across the country. The reasons are due to the pro-life message and the concern and compassion that has been shown to those who decide to keep their babies.
Contrary to those people who say there are no alternatives to Planned Parenthood that is false and propaganda coming from the pro abortion side. There are more community health centers than PP facilities and with their closing people will be turning to these excellent facilities for all their healthcare needs. Planned Parenthood has been funded by tax dollars paid for by the American people to perform abortions which many find repulsive and revolting.
The president, Cecile Richards, is a highly paid employee (over $500,000 and she recently gave herself a nice pay increase). She must be concerned that her cushy job is in jeopardy. She could leave the abortion business but refuses to do so. Why? The bulk of their money is tied to abortions and they do not want to lose this very important revenue. Putting finances ahead of innocent human life is immoral and disgusting. They need to be defunded and that money should be directed to centers that do not engage in abortions whatsoever.
The pro-life movement is working hard to achieve this goal and we are making great inroads. We have saved countless babies and women have been grateful in our efforts. We will continue this very important mission.
Contrary to those people who say there are no alternatives to Planned Parenthood that is false and propaganda coming from the pro abortion side. There are more community health centers than PP facilities and with their closing people will be turning to these excellent facilities for all their healthcare needs. Planned Parenthood has been funded by tax dollars paid for by the American people to perform abortions which many find repulsive and revolting.
The president, Cecile Richards, is a highly paid employee (over $500,000 and she recently gave herself a nice pay increase). She must be concerned that her cushy job is in jeopardy. She could leave the abortion business but refuses to do so. Why? The bulk of their money is tied to abortions and they do not want to lose this very important revenue. Putting finances ahead of innocent human life is immoral and disgusting. They need to be defunded and that money should be directed to centers that do not engage in abortions whatsoever.
The pro-life movement is working hard to achieve this goal and we are making great inroads. We have saved countless babies and women have been grateful in our efforts. We will continue this very important mission.
3
You can have your own opinions regarding Planned Parenthood, however you can't make up your own facts. First off no federal money is used to fund abortion, take 10min to Google the Hyde Amendment and learn something. Second, the alternative to Planned Parenthood in my neck of the woods are Pregnancy Resource Centers, that offer NO medical care, no family planning outside of shame, abstinence, and God, and no preventative care whatsoever. I don't want MY tax monies funding these centers, run by Christians with no medical degree, who offer nothing in the form of factual reproductive education or any type of preventative health care to those who cannot afford it.
24
The anti choice movement is not pro life.
7
Please tell me where, in our communities in the inner core of our cities overflowing with poor and homeless, are these so called excellent facilities for all ???
My young friends found compassion and excellence at our local Planned Parenthood - no questions asked and no requirement to hand over a credit card !
My young friends found compassion and excellence at our local Planned Parenthood - no questions asked and no requirement to hand over a credit card !
28
thanks. excellent to focus on Trump's anti-woman policy
14
Ross, take a set back and breath.Do you think that the consequences of simplistic decisions motivated by politics are understood by those in the Administration?And if some are aware, do you think they care about collateral damage when their positions are based on religious beliefs such as attitudes to abortion?
Defunding Planned Parenthood is a scandal and Marie Stopes International efforts are to be commended.But there is no need to overreach.What we know about the vinegar test and the freezing of lesions is mostly anecdotal.Sentences like "and the woman's life is saved for a total cost of about $3"do nothing to enhance the credibility of your case.
Defunding Planned Parenthood is a scandal and Marie Stopes International efforts are to be commended.But there is no need to overreach.What we know about the vinegar test and the freezing of lesions is mostly anecdotal.Sentences like "and the woman's life is saved for a total cost of about $3"do nothing to enhance the credibility of your case.
4
The vinegar test is NOT anecdotal. It's been accepted fact for years. In fact, it's part of the process during a colposcopy which is used to further diagnose after a questionable Pap smear.....in prominent OB/GYN practices across America.
10
Thank you very much, Mr. Kristoff, for being a kind and caring human and a gentleman, concerned about the lives and health of others worldwide. We women are marginalized, but when we demand our rights, we are called nasty names, even imprisoned for speaking 'out of place'. It's always great to find out who are the real men are in our society.
19
The old guys should stay away from women's health issues. Do they know anything about being a woman? No...let them experience painful periods, difficult pregnancies, backstreet abortions. When I see the number of old guys holding up horrific pictures of a fetus aborted in honoring their "beliefs", I always give them the "sign" of how I feel.
28
The war on women comes down to God's curse on Eve which must be upheld, worldwide, at all cost. This is why the radical Christians do not care how many women and children will suffer and die. The anti-choice position is just an excuse to aide their all powerful God in fulfilling his will in this matter. Apparently anything else that would fulfill his will, like feeding the hungry and clothing/housing the homeless is secondary to this one thing. This is why they are against anything other than failed abstinence contraception. The wall between church and state must be strengthened and reproductive decisions should be left to the individual and not the State.
21
The rest of the world is backward - let THEM catch up.
1
It may be wrong to put so much hope on T's daughter/advisor, who is not qualified to have so much sudden influence on world leaders. However, Ivanka does talk the talk of someone who cares about some of women's rights, at least, and thus may be the only one in T's narrow sphere to convince him to do the right thing regarding women's health issues.
So far, however, Ivanka seems more concerned with selling bags than saving lives. Here's hoping with continued wise and compassionate coverage such as those found in Kristof's reports, someone paying attention will finally get through to our decision makers.
So far, however, Ivanka seems more concerned with selling bags than saving lives. Here's hoping with continued wise and compassionate coverage such as those found in Kristof's reports, someone paying attention will finally get through to our decision makers.
14
Thanks again for bringing the human factor to our attention when discussing Trump's policies. Who are we to judge how other countries use aid money as long as they are using it to save lives and benefit their citizens.
20
Hello! It's our money!!! Charity begins at home
2
To dangle the illusion of competent health care to our second class fellow citizens and third world fellow beings is the crulest thing of all.
We promulgate the trappings of advanced society (soda pop and bags of crisps for example) while withholding much of the real foundations of true society.
It seems to me that we are stepping over dimes to save pennies.
We promulgate the trappings of advanced society (soda pop and bags of crisps for example) while withholding much of the real foundations of true society.
It seems to me that we are stepping over dimes to save pennies.
15
Good column, but let's put the responsibility for the sorry status of women's health care right where it belongs- the cruel and extreme anti-choice movement's obsession with depriving women of their right to have an abortion, or even access to contraception, and the Republican Party's willingness to give them the power to do it - locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally.
The Republican Party's commitment to implementing the agenda of this movement's fanatical campaign to deprive women of the right to choose this one health care option, has driven women's overall health care into the ground, with cervical cancer as only one of many areas of health care to which women are being denied access.
This isn't really about Trump- if any other Republican had been elected president, the status of women's health care would be just ad bad, if not worse. Unless and until the Republican Party repudiates the fanatical agenda of the anti-abortion crowd and puts providing women with quality health care above eradicating health care clinics that perform abortions, the status of women's health will only get worse.
Cut the anti-choicers loose, Republicans, or women will just keep dying unnecessarily before their time.
The Republican Party's commitment to implementing the agenda of this movement's fanatical campaign to deprive women of the right to choose this one health care option, has driven women's overall health care into the ground, with cervical cancer as only one of many areas of health care to which women are being denied access.
This isn't really about Trump- if any other Republican had been elected president, the status of women's health care would be just ad bad, if not worse. Unless and until the Republican Party repudiates the fanatical agenda of the anti-abortion crowd and puts providing women with quality health care above eradicating health care clinics that perform abortions, the status of women's health will only get worse.
Cut the anti-choicers loose, Republicans, or women will just keep dying unnecessarily before their time.
55
The attack on women's health worldwide by the so-called president and his Republican toadies in the Cabinet and Congress have no excuses for denying health care to anyone because of gender, but this is exactly what they are doing. If young people receive thorough information regarding birth control, there will be fewer unwanted pregnancies. When these MEN cut off funding for agencies that either counsel about or provide abortions, they are telling women that they don't matter, that their place is in the kitchen and the nursery. American women will no longer accept that 50 year old view.
It is clear that the Republican party is not interested in helping those who need hep the most. They are solely interested in tax cuts for the ultra-rich and themselves. Oh, yes, and they want dominion over anyone who is not white and male.
It is clear that the Republican party is not interested in helping those who need hep the most. They are solely interested in tax cuts for the ultra-rich and themselves. Oh, yes, and they want dominion over anyone who is not white and male.
25
Kudos for Nicholas Kristof for shining a light again on women's health. Truthfully, preventing cervical cancer or any reproductive issue is not a woman's issue but a family issue. Women who are injured or who die because of cervical cancer leave behind families...families that often rely on these women's income.
Trump's policies are not pro-life. IF he were pro-life, he would do everything possible to help health organizations reduce the rate of preventable cervical cancer, do everything to ensure that women who need birth control can get it, do everything to ensure that women who want permanent or long term birth control can get it and do everything to help women who decide an abortion is best of their family...have one safely.
Trump's policies are not pro-life. IF he were pro-life, he would do everything possible to help health organizations reduce the rate of preventable cervical cancer, do everything to ensure that women who need birth control can get it, do everything to ensure that women who want permanent or long term birth control can get it and do everything to help women who decide an abortion is best of their family...have one safely.
28
Pro life is pro women. It is also pro child and pro family. Pro abortion folks frequently talk about women being able to control their own bodies. Pro life women not only have control over their own bodies but control over the life in the womb. They put the life of the baby first and foremost. Those who choose to have their babies must be given all the respect and assistance that they require. This is the goal of the pro life movement and will continue to be of the utmost important to those of us who are active in the cause. This is the civil rights movement of the day.
4
Do you intend to take care of unwanted babies once they are born? Do you give money to the mothers who can't feed them? Do you help them find jobs to pay for them? Do you help them get medical care for themselves and their babies? Do you judge the mothers negatively when they can't manage?
Life happens outside the womb, WMK. Life is more than 9 months of carrying a fetus (what you would call an "unborn baby") to term. It has not been my experience that those who oppose abortion care one figgy-wig about the baby or the mother once it's born. Keep your religious perspective out of the laws of the land. Abortion is only wrong to those who are taught that it is.
Life happens outside the womb, WMK. Life is more than 9 months of carrying a fetus (what you would call an "unborn baby") to term. It has not been my experience that those who oppose abortion care one figgy-wig about the baby or the mother once it's born. Keep your religious perspective out of the laws of the land. Abortion is only wrong to those who are taught that it is.
27
You said it all, although probably unintentionally - the life of the baby over all. Yes, the pro-fetus, pro-embryo, pro-zygote movement puts the preborn above all else, including the life of the mother. This editorial is not discussing abortion, it's discussing cervical cancer. Your callousness towards anyone already born shows: one can assume that all of those women and girls who are dying from cervical cancer were once the preborn who you claim to care about so much. Now that they're actually live, breathing human beings you wish to deny them the $3 test and potential cure for this horrible death. No, you are not "pro-life". You are pro-fetus, pro-embryo, pro-zygote.
28
Correction - my next to last sentence should have been utmost importance
Hypocrisy all along. Conservatism at work. Save the life of an incest or rape child but God help the mother! Save $3 by letting women die but repeal the ACA that has saved so many (although not all). Why did Ms. Richardson not have an ACA policy? We should all learn from that. Have we become so polarized that ideology is stronger that life issues?
14
What self-respecting woman votes for these men? Shame on them.
26
To the party of Trump, people without money are expendable. Especially when brown.
20
"Why am I as a man writing about cervical cancer? Because reproductive health is always in peril of being marginalized as a “women’s issue.”"
Then start a non-profit, organize an annual benefit race, or just donate to the UN or some other entity whose purpose is to highlight the dangers of cervical cancer. Quit this incessant whining about having the government putting their hands even deeper into taxpayers' pockets for health issues in other countries. You and others of like mind would be far more effective in doing this than government..I mean, taxpayers.
Then start a non-profit, organize an annual benefit race, or just donate to the UN or some other entity whose purpose is to highlight the dangers of cervical cancer. Quit this incessant whining about having the government putting their hands even deeper into taxpayers' pockets for health issues in other countries. You and others of like mind would be far more effective in doing this than government..I mean, taxpayers.
2
That is why human beings form governments, not non-profits- to educate, protect, and serve all of the community, including the less fortunate. That is the purpose of government.
You want to drop "The Mother Of All Bombs" on unsuspecting civilian Afghan women and children? You go form a non-profit.
You want to drop "The Mother Of All Bombs" on unsuspecting civilian Afghan women and children? You go form a non-profit.
14
Takeaway: there are no 'women's issues.' We are all involved; we are all responsible.
20
Expanding the Mexico City Rule to cover all 8.8B+ in health care worldwide proves the moral bankruptcy of the Trump WH and rises to the level of a crime against humanity... Make no mistake, there is an active war on women (in the US and the world) being run by the Republican party.
16
When I meet a woman who tells me she is republican, i cry for my daughter and her daughter and for every woman who is wronged by her vote.
Tax breaks for millionaires at the expense of everyone and everything else is not conservatism, it is psychopathy.
Tax breaks for millionaires at the expense of everyone and everything else is not conservatism, it is psychopathy.
29
What a timely article. When I was a medical student (an Intern, actually) in Bolivia, I spent one month in a cancer ward for women, most of them with advanced cervical cancer, many post-radiation, in severe pain most of the time, and foul-smelling bleeding vaginally from their irretrievable disease, and we, family and this humble Intern, incapable to provide any relief but occasional morphine as our resources allowed. Now that Trump is exercising his nasty, and totally unnecessary, cruelty, in denying help to these desperate women, we may become complicit in our silence, and accepting this outrage as 'the new normal'. To those still supporting this vulgar bully, 'our' compassion-free brute-in-chief, get hold of your conscience, which certainly knows, or ought to know, right from wrong. And speaking of conscience, where are those pious republicans, hypocrites, complicit in this crime?
26
Thank you Manfred Marcus for giving us a sense of the reality of women dying from cervical cancer in Bolivia. And for reminding us that silence makes one complicit....
13
While I certainly find fault with Trump as it relates to this issue, I would encourage everyone to watch this NYT video to see the pain other politicians are inflicting because of their lack of concern for women's health. Shame on all of them.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/opinion/abortion-restrictions-louisia...
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/opinion/abortion-restrictions-louisia...
12
Pro-life has always been a play on words. What the republican religious call pro-life is really pro-fetus. Once a child is born, republicans fight constantly to cut funding to make their lives livable. They cut food stamps, they cut Medicaid, they cut school lunches, they cut after school programs and they still consider themselves pro-life. What a bunch of hypocrites. For the past couple decades the target of the republican hate has been to attack Planned Parenthood, even though government does not pay anything for anyone to have an abortion there. Now they are cutting funding and Planned Parenthood clinics are closing all over the country. So we need to expect to see a lot more unwanted pregnancies (so the government can pay to raise the child for 18 years, now that is cost saving), a lot more cancers in women (so the government can pay to help them in their last months, now that is cost saving) and of course a lot more epidemics of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and all the other things detected when women have regular health checkups. When will they ever learn?
37
The Conversation, an online journal highlighting scholar-journalists, just published my answers to 5 questions about Trump's global gag rule--what we know now. http://bit.ly/2qZZ4lp None of it is good news.
6
And, um, you're writing about cervical cancer because, like everyone else so far. you were born of a woman.
10
There are probably many cases of cervical cancer among trump's die hard supporters in poor rural areas like Kentucky, Tennessee, even the mountains of Pennsylvania.
But since he himself can't get cervical cancer why should he bother with it.
But since he himself can't get cervical cancer why should he bother with it.
14
When you have a man who gets a kick out of grabbing women's genitals, do you really think he cares about female reproductive cancer?
It's almost ridiculous to even address.
It's almost ridiculous to even address.
It is very easy to get lost in "show" as the dumpster fire that is the Trump administration continues to rage sucking all of the oxygen out of the air.
Thank you Mr. Kristol for calling out another real-world consequence of Trump's ignorance and malignant narcissism,.
Women will die because a man who has never had strong feelings about abortion finds it convenient at the moment to pander to the Religious Right.
Does anyone really think Trump spent even 5 minutes thinking about the consequences of this policy?
Does anyone really think he cares?
Thank you Mr. Kristol for calling out another real-world consequence of Trump's ignorance and malignant narcissism,.
Women will die because a man who has never had strong feelings about abortion finds it convenient at the moment to pander to the Religious Right.
Does anyone really think Trump spent even 5 minutes thinking about the consequences of this policy?
Does anyone really think he cares?
25
If Trump REALLY wants to freak everyone out, he'd suddenly become a radical LIBERAL, and out Bernie Bernie. And start with the prehistoric republican policies on women. His party hates him anyway. He can really make a big differene by "seeing the light". He could move next to universal health care, something he's already once believed in. Then , on to draining the swamp of Wall Street influence for real, instead of the reversal and lies. He would gain the love he craves. Maybe even respect, if he also apologizes for being such a dumb lout. But, wishful thinking, huh. Who am I kidding.
13
The problem is Ignorance of Reproductive Biology, especially through persistence of Dark Age Religious Superstition. A human zygote, mass of Cleaving cells, Blastula, Gastrula, Embryo and Fetus which has not yet formed a functioning brain is not a person. Period. That is a Fact.
L. E. Franklin, PhD, 1963, FSU, Exptl. Biology. plus 30 yrs Peer reviewed Nationally and Internationally recognized Research on Fertilization and Gametogenesis
Opponents of Planned Parenthood aren't merely Ignorant. They are Evil!
L. E. Franklin, PhD, 1963, FSU, Exptl. Biology. plus 30 yrs Peer reviewed Nationally and Internationally recognized Research on Fertilization and Gametogenesis
Opponents of Planned Parenthood aren't merely Ignorant. They are Evil!
12
This is an example of the cruelty of humankind to humankind as a result of ignorance parading as self-righteousness.
12
Nicholas Kristof consistently describes issues that everyone should care about. He is intelligent, conscious, caring, motivated and dedicated. We are living under a regime that is backed by enormous amounts of money hoarded men (mostly) who desire even more money and control. The Koch brothers are not alone in their unending greed. In fact, most billionaires only associate with other billionaires. They neither see nor smell poverty, and they do not care to.
Caring about the planet and all the people who live on it isn't something that just happens. You have to be taught to hate. You have to be blind to the fact that we all live here together as human beings on this earth, in order to think only of yourself and your own.
Fundamentalism, nationalism, conservative thought control.....all are dangerous. We have a mentally unbalanced man in the White House and an entire political party ready to keep him there for their own purposes. Nick's columns continuously point out how our attitudes not only cripple us but others all over the world. This is 17th century thinking, folks and we deserve better.
Speak up, take action, donate money, pay attention. Don't just site there....do something! You matter. Don't let Nick be out there alone. Let's all have his back.
Caring about the planet and all the people who live on it isn't something that just happens. You have to be taught to hate. You have to be blind to the fact that we all live here together as human beings on this earth, in order to think only of yourself and your own.
Fundamentalism, nationalism, conservative thought control.....all are dangerous. We have a mentally unbalanced man in the White House and an entire political party ready to keep him there for their own purposes. Nick's columns continuously point out how our attitudes not only cripple us but others all over the world. This is 17th century thinking, folks and we deserve better.
Speak up, take action, donate money, pay attention. Don't just site there....do something! You matter. Don't let Nick be out there alone. Let's all have his back.
18
Female Trump voters should be ashamed at their betrayal of other women. They didn't think.
"Why am I as a man writing about cervical cancer?" That a person like Mr. Kristof should feel compelled even to write (even to think) that sentence says worlds about the zeitgeist. Why shouldn't he?
9
It kills me (and millions of women as well) that pro-lifers' concern about human life ends at birth.
21
Mr. Kristof, please tell me where to send $30 to keep Fedline in school.
11
Now this is what I call an impeachable offence.
7
Does anyone really think Trump cares in the least how many women die because of his health care policies?
13
All of this while Ivanka, as special assistant to the president, parades around the world professing to be an "advocate" for women and women's rights...shameful!
140
Princess Ivanka is an advocate for all things TRUMP. PEROID.
10
Thank you! I was about to write exactly the same about his daughter. The hypocrisy of the money making trump clan is disgusting. Very very sad. Women, families, people unite!
10
Maybe this is part of the Trump strategy...defund, so others, other nations, etc will pick up the slack.?
Lol, who am I kidding, there is no real Trump plan/s. Its just typical male patriarchy, coupled with the Republican's xtian base who simply hate women and their "confusing lady parts." In their world, lady parts are the origins of all sin, and as such need to be ignored in total. Easily treated cancers are Gods wrath, a means to keep them from tempting men.
Americans wake up! The Republican party doesn't give a hamsters ear-hair about your health, or your economic well-being. Period. End of story.
Lol, who am I kidding, there is no real Trump plan/s. Its just typical male patriarchy, coupled with the Republican's xtian base who simply hate women and their "confusing lady parts." In their world, lady parts are the origins of all sin, and as such need to be ignored in total. Easily treated cancers are Gods wrath, a means to keep them from tempting men.
Americans wake up! The Republican party doesn't give a hamsters ear-hair about your health, or your economic well-being. Period. End of story.
22
Thanks for the help, Ivanka, and Melanie, you too
1
In the US there are seven national agencies for the health of women and none for men.
And then there is this:
http://womenshealth.gov
http://girlshealth.gov
http://menshealth.gov
http://boyshealth.gov
And medicine has changed over the lat 30 years with technology. Despite that, the imbalance in funding has been ongoing for more than that, with the government favoring the health of women. IN the distance past, medicine experimented on men or had to minimally support male defenders in war.
Men will use doctors more when there is more out reach. But there is no outreach to men.
Every state has an office of woman's health. Only Georgia has an office for men's heath.
Men are the overwhelming numbers of suicide, homelessness, addiction and poverty.
Feminism is cancer and feminists lie.
And then there is this:
http://womenshealth.gov
http://girlshealth.gov
http://menshealth.gov
http://boyshealth.gov
And medicine has changed over the lat 30 years with technology. Despite that, the imbalance in funding has been ongoing for more than that, with the government favoring the health of women. IN the distance past, medicine experimented on men or had to minimally support male defenders in war.
Men will use doctors more when there is more out reach. But there is no outreach to men.
Every state has an office of woman's health. Only Georgia has an office for men's heath.
Men are the overwhelming numbers of suicide, homelessness, addiction and poverty.
Feminism is cancer and feminists lie.
1
Health care for everyone, ReaderAbroad. If I am for women's health care it doesn't mean I am not for men's healthcare. Also, this story is also about Haitian clinics being defunded. It isn't either/or Mr. Reader. It's about merciful humanity, for everyone.
16
Other than the fact that most drug trials and medical testing is performed on men, because society considers them the norm and women as secondary. And, memory serves, no US politician or pundit is talking about women not having to pay for Viagra or prostate cancer, but they are talking about men not having to pay for reproductive care for women.
Sexism is cancer and sexists lie.
Sexism is cancer and sexists lie.
6
These are issues females have as well. Females also deal with sexual assault, pregnancy, birth, single parenthood and in many cases having no family support as it relates to these. Males have from the beginning of "civilized time" excercised control over the female and the abilities she has that they do not out of fear. Drug trials were always based on males even though medications work differently for women. Men normally ran those drug trials on men. It appears we both search for equality. Males remain further ahead than females and until that changes, females have to fight each battle to keep each hill and outpost so as not to lose ground. I am not a feminist- I am a female and I will not be a female minimized. Remember males lie and in many cases never deal with the consequences.
15
Cervical cancer is caused by HPV infection. There is a vaccine to prevent HPV. It should be provided to all by a public health plan. HPV infection also causes cancer of the tonsils of men infected through oral sex.
Trump is a black hole of rampant idiocy.
Trump is a black hole of rampant idiocy.
Oh please.
Blame Trump if you want.
I have seen a bit of valid evidence to suggest that American misogyny precedes Trump.
And overwhelming evidence to conclude without any doubt that Americans hate women, American women hate American women, republicans hate women with passion, republican women hate women with passion, Christians hate women with hell bent fury, and Christian women's hate for women is diluted only upon addition of nitroglycerine.
Hollywood hates women as much as they love TNT. See slasher movies . . . horror movies, and the cultural objectification of women.
Top accomplished women in top positions in American industry prefer to dye their hair blonde in order not to make men with small organs feel threatened. In 2017, in Silicon Valley (not 1980 Alabama).
We are the same distance from Norway and Sweden in terms of women's issues, as Saudi Arabia is to us. This predates Trump.
It is not a partisan issue; not by a long shot. It is an American issue, deeply rooted in our culture.
But I applaud you for trying to make this a Trump-related issue. I do mean that. Because it is all but impossible to have any honest conversation in America about key issues that matter: gender and race; never mind healthcare issues related to gender and race. At present, pretty much any pretext that will make us confront evidence and change thinking and policy is a step in the right direction.
Kalidan
Kalidan
Blame Trump if you want.
I have seen a bit of valid evidence to suggest that American misogyny precedes Trump.
And overwhelming evidence to conclude without any doubt that Americans hate women, American women hate American women, republicans hate women with passion, republican women hate women with passion, Christians hate women with hell bent fury, and Christian women's hate for women is diluted only upon addition of nitroglycerine.
Hollywood hates women as much as they love TNT. See slasher movies . . . horror movies, and the cultural objectification of women.
Top accomplished women in top positions in American industry prefer to dye their hair blonde in order not to make men with small organs feel threatened. In 2017, in Silicon Valley (not 1980 Alabama).
We are the same distance from Norway and Sweden in terms of women's issues, as Saudi Arabia is to us. This predates Trump.
It is not a partisan issue; not by a long shot. It is an American issue, deeply rooted in our culture.
But I applaud you for trying to make this a Trump-related issue. I do mean that. Because it is all but impossible to have any honest conversation in America about key issues that matter: gender and race; never mind healthcare issues related to gender and race. At present, pretty much any pretext that will make us confront evidence and change thinking and policy is a step in the right direction.
Kalidan
Kalidan
From the (“Trump Thinks This Is Pro-Life? April 22, 2017) article accessed by this link:
One Billion Condoms
Accomplishments of the U.N. Population Fund, 2014-2016.
A third is his cutoff of funds for the United Nations Population Fund, which is a major international player in reducing deaths from cervical cancer:
PREVENTED
• 35 million unintended pregnancies
• 11 million unsafe abortions
• 93,000 maternal deaths
• 272,000 genital mutilations of girls
• 8.3 million sexually transmitted infections (via one billion condoms)
• 188,000 H.I.V. infections
HELPED
• 54 million users of family planning
• 33.4 million adolescents, who received sexual and reproductive health services
• More than 16 million women and girls in crisis zones, who received sexual and reproductive health services and protection to prevent gender-based violence
• 8.2 million women and girls, who had midwives’ assistance with pregnancies and deliveries
• 39,200 women with fistulas
___
Does a guy’s excuse “the condom broke” qualify as “a wardrobe malfunction”?
One Billion Condoms
Accomplishments of the U.N. Population Fund, 2014-2016.
A third is his cutoff of funds for the United Nations Population Fund, which is a major international player in reducing deaths from cervical cancer:
PREVENTED
• 35 million unintended pregnancies
• 11 million unsafe abortions
• 93,000 maternal deaths
• 272,000 genital mutilations of girls
• 8.3 million sexually transmitted infections (via one billion condoms)
• 188,000 H.I.V. infections
HELPED
• 54 million users of family planning
• 33.4 million adolescents, who received sexual and reproductive health services
• More than 16 million women and girls in crisis zones, who received sexual and reproductive health services and protection to prevent gender-based violence
• 8.2 million women and girls, who had midwives’ assistance with pregnancies and deliveries
• 39,200 women with fistulas
___
Does a guy’s excuse “the condom broke” qualify as “a wardrobe malfunction”?
16
So many of the people who call themselves "pro-life" (a rhetorical insult, and basically a lie, since these people think "life" means human embryos and fetuses and not a single other living creature) don't want to acknowledge that the policies they enthusiastically support are in fact pro-death. People in this group who consider themselves Christian should understand that they are a disgrace to the church, and no true disciples of Jesus Christ.
16
Also if they bothered to actually read the bible from page 1 till the end, they'll found out that there is nothing, absolutely nothing in it about abortion.
As for birth control it's only mentioned in the story of Onan who was curse by god , not because he spilled his seed on the ground, but because he spilled his seeds to avoid impregnating his brother's window because the resulting child would have inherited his brother's share of their father's wealth. The practice is one form of the Levirate institution.
So again there's nothing in the bible about contraception as such......
As for birth control it's only mentioned in the story of Onan who was curse by god , not because he spilled his seed on the ground, but because he spilled his seeds to avoid impregnating his brother's window because the resulting child would have inherited his brother's share of their father's wealth. The practice is one form of the Levirate institution.
So again there's nothing in the bible about contraception as such......
8
We don't have the resources to care for, feed and provide healthcare for the entire world.
Why doesn't the NYT seem to understand this?
Why doesn't the NYT seem to understand this?
1
Where do you think the money should go? More weapons, perhaps?
8
We can spring for the three bucks, though.
7
Hope you are never on the other side of your argument.
11
Women's issues are men's issues too. We are your mothers, your wives, your daughters and your employees.
16
...and your employers....
8
It's no accident or incidental. This is what the " Christian" right and their great panderer would love for the U.S.. they aren't quite able to pull it off here, yet. Women must be put in their place, and part of that is suffering and death. PEROID. The GOP considers " the Handmaids Tale " a most excellent instruction manual. Bigly.
14
Pro Death indeed! How anti abortion views can snuff out productive lives stuns me over and over.
Have they no shame?
Have they no shame?
From the (“Trump Thinks This Is Pro-Life? April 22, 2017) article accessed by this link:
A third is his CUTOFF FOR FUNDS for the United Nations Population Fund, which is a major international player in reducing deaths from cervical cancer:
One Billion Condoms
Accomplishments of the U.N. Population Fund, 2014-2016.
PREVENTED
• 35 million unintended pregnancies
• 11 million unsafe abortions
• 93,000 maternal deaths
• 272,000 genital mutilations of girls
• 8.3 million sexually transmitted infections (via one billion condoms)
• 188,000 H.I.V. infections
HELPED
• 54 million users of family planning
• 33.4 million adolescents, who received sexual and reproductive health services
• More than 16 million women and girls in crisis zones, who received sexual and reproductive health services and protection to prevent gender-based violence
• 8.2 million women and girls, who had midwives’ assistance with pregnancies and deliveries
• 39,200 women with fistulas
___
Does a guy’s excuse “the condom broke” qualify as “a wardrobe malfunction”?
A third is his CUTOFF FOR FUNDS for the United Nations Population Fund, which is a major international player in reducing deaths from cervical cancer:
One Billion Condoms
Accomplishments of the U.N. Population Fund, 2014-2016.
PREVENTED
• 35 million unintended pregnancies
• 11 million unsafe abortions
• 93,000 maternal deaths
• 272,000 genital mutilations of girls
• 8.3 million sexually transmitted infections (via one billion condoms)
• 188,000 H.I.V. infections
HELPED
• 54 million users of family planning
• 33.4 million adolescents, who received sexual and reproductive health services
• More than 16 million women and girls in crisis zones, who received sexual and reproductive health services and protection to prevent gender-based violence
• 8.2 million women and girls, who had midwives’ assistance with pregnancies and deliveries
• 39,200 women with fistulas
___
Does a guy’s excuse “the condom broke” qualify as “a wardrobe malfunction”?
One thing that makes me angry ...
although ABORTION IS LEGAL IN THE UNITED STATES,
Agent Orange and his minions (oh yes, Pence) and far right Republicans act as though it is illegal and punish women.
Republicans believe they should be able to cram this down our throats and force women to give birth.
They refuse to acknowledge the unintended consequences ... more maternal deaths, more abortions, more unwanted children.
Oh yes .... they are so righteous. AND CRUEL.
My mother and step mother were both Republicans many years ago and they were solidly pro-choice. They would never recognize the current Republican party today.
although ABORTION IS LEGAL IN THE UNITED STATES,
Agent Orange and his minions (oh yes, Pence) and far right Republicans act as though it is illegal and punish women.
Republicans believe they should be able to cram this down our throats and force women to give birth.
They refuse to acknowledge the unintended consequences ... more maternal deaths, more abortions, more unwanted children.
Oh yes .... they are so righteous. AND CRUEL.
My mother and step mother were both Republicans many years ago and they were solidly pro-choice. They would never recognize the current Republican party today.
15
Trump, McConnell and Ryan, by attacking ACA/Obamacre, are leading the Republican Party in premeditated homicide.
Millions of Americans will suffer and/or die.
Millions of Americans will suffer and/or die.
19
As you say, it's premeditated, not an unintended side effect of the policies they promote. When suffering and death are pointed out to them, they look pleased. The plan: death to the poor, the elderly and the infirm. It's slow murder.
9
Gee wiz, this can be the issue that First Lady Melania/Ivanka can wrap their designed clad arms around. Melania can move to Washington DC and live with Trumpty, and donate the money the tax payers are paying to keep her in NY, to funding the vinegar test. Then maybe Ivanka can give up her White House office and staff, move back to NY with hubbie and donate that savings, too.
12
And how about Trump actually staying in the White House most weekends and not using his office to advertise his properties at taxpayers' expense?
That would save millions a weekend that could be donated as well.
That would save millions a weekend that could be donated as well.
14
Mr. Kristof would have more credibility if he had written this column about several presidents. Instead, he is selective in his criticism.
2
We could go back for hundreds of years and complain about mistreatment of women by men in power. The point is, we have the "leadership" we have now and that is what needs addressing.
8
Your comment illustrates a danger in writing stories that personalize public policy decisions. But it doesn't diminish Mr. Kristoff's credibility that the global gag rule has been a feature of every Republican administration over the past 33 years. I'd say it diminishes Republicans' claims to be humane actors in world affairs.
12
One, you are correct in that he could have written a column about the imposition of global gag rules about every Republican President since Reagan.
Democratic Presidents eliminate such bans.
Two, Trump has expanded the rule to many more healthcare agencies than any previous Republican president so the impact of the ruler will be that much more devastating.
Besides, If just one woman dies because of Trump or any Republican politician pandering to their zealous, ill-informed cruel base, that's one too many.
Democratic Presidents eliminate such bans.
Two, Trump has expanded the rule to many more healthcare agencies than any previous Republican president so the impact of the ruler will be that much more devastating.
Besides, If just one woman dies because of Trump or any Republican politician pandering to their zealous, ill-informed cruel base, that's one too many.
11
So is this the "death panels" the GOP warned us about?
If you a fetus, you are sacred. If you are a poor woman, you are on your own.
If you a fetus, you are sacred. If you are a poor woman, you are on your own.
13
I'm more and more convinced that Republicans and conservatives think fetuses grow in Petri dishes. When you deny healthcare to pregnant women you are denying healthcare to their fetuses as well.
So, they don't care about fetuses, either.
So, they don't care about fetuses, either.
9
It's pandering to the " Christian " base. But, it's also flat-out meanness, and spite. Women are second class citizens in this country, and way lower on the scale in many others. Livestock literally have more value in some societies. This mythical " taxpayer funded abortions " has, and will, kill many women. Well obviously the money must be put to better use: providing security for the Trumplings to conduct their " business" affairs, golfing weekends for the Presidential Apprentice, etc. etc. etc..
This is just vile, disgusting, and NOT surprising. PEROID.
This is just vile, disgusting, and NOT surprising. PEROID.
9
is there any way to get money directly to Yeye and her family and help Fedline get back to school?
5
Eleanor- yes-
go to
innovatinghealthinternational.org to donate and add in the comments section that you want your donation to go to Fedline in Haiti.
go to
innovatinghealthinternational.org to donate and add in the comments section that you want your donation to go to Fedline in Haiti.
7
Ask Mr. Krsitoff; he should have contact information.
2
It's ridiculous to think women's health is just a women's issue. Men have mothers, wives, daughters and sisters whom they love. Men want to have healthy children and to have good care for their wives. Some men want women's health care to be robust on moral grounds because they are good men.
8
@Mr. Kristof: but maybe instead, the lefty-liberals should RETHINK their obsession with abortion on demand -- and concentrate on REAL women's health. As GW Bush demonstrating, without abortion in the mix....conservatives are completely willing to spend on women's health initiatives worldwide.
The problem is abortion, and the left's insistence on forcing it on everyone concerned.
The problem is abortion, and the left's insistence on forcing it on everyone concerned.
3
If you don't want an abortion, no one will force you to have one, will they?
1
But no federal funds are used for abortion.
2
NO ONE, NO ONE is forced to have an abortion, but, should they want or need one, it should be THEIR choice, no one else's.
Why do you demand every woman or girl have no access to abortion?
You are forcing women to become mothers against their will. That's not pro-life, that's forced gestation and breeding. Pro-choice allows adult women to make their own personal choices, not have some man who will never, ever, get pregnant or give birth. Do you men really believe women are unable to make their own INFORMED choices? If you don't believe in abortion, don't get one, it's THAT simple. Same thing with same sex marriage, if you do not wish to marry someone you love, that is of the same sex, well then don't get married. Who's twisting the arms of anyone in both of these situations to do something against their will? But you wish you apply your beliefs to ALL others.
Did it ever occur to you not everyone wishes to be a radical Christian extremist and force their religion upon others, just like you claim other religions do, and reject their interference upon others?
You may wish to look up the definition of hypocrite, if you have google or a dictionary.
Why do you demand every woman or girl have no access to abortion?
You are forcing women to become mothers against their will. That's not pro-life, that's forced gestation and breeding. Pro-choice allows adult women to make their own personal choices, not have some man who will never, ever, get pregnant or give birth. Do you men really believe women are unable to make their own INFORMED choices? If you don't believe in abortion, don't get one, it's THAT simple. Same thing with same sex marriage, if you do not wish to marry someone you love, that is of the same sex, well then don't get married. Who's twisting the arms of anyone in both of these situations to do something against their will? But you wish you apply your beliefs to ALL others.
Did it ever occur to you not everyone wishes to be a radical Christian extremist and force their religion upon others, just like you claim other religions do, and reject their interference upon others?
You may wish to look up the definition of hypocrite, if you have google or a dictionary.
13
@Mr. Kristof: you give the example of Ms. Betty Richardson in Tulsa OK, who did not get treatment for a huge cervical tumor due to "lack of health insurance".
Trump has only been POTUS for about 4 months, and the AHCA is not passed nor is it law. Obamacare still reigns supreme.
Obamacare went into effect partly in 2009 and then the whole shebang in 2014. That is 3.5 years ago.
Why did Ms. Richardson not avail herself of Obamacare? Of a policy on the exchanges? of expanded Medicaid? Why didn't she go to Planned Parenthood, which charges on a sliding scale? If she is VERY poor...she would have always qualified for 100% FREE Medicaid welfare.
Planned Parenthood
1007 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120
I looked this up in 2 seconds on Google.
Trump has only been POTUS for about 4 months, and the AHCA is not passed nor is it law. Obamacare still reigns supreme.
Obamacare went into effect partly in 2009 and then the whole shebang in 2014. That is 3.5 years ago.
Why did Ms. Richardson not avail herself of Obamacare? Of a policy on the exchanges? of expanded Medicaid? Why didn't she go to Planned Parenthood, which charges on a sliding scale? If she is VERY poor...she would have always qualified for 100% FREE Medicaid welfare.
Planned Parenthood
1007 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120
I looked this up in 2 seconds on Google.
5
Not all States expanded Medicaid. In some states this left a large population who could not afford insurance, even with ACA and the subsidies. I don't know this lady's situation, but ACA is also breaking down due to lack of support from Congress as well as uncertainty of what's to come. I am leaning more and more towards the idea of universal care. We'll pay by premiums or by taxes but we need a fair, expanded system.
13
I will try and be polite while I reply to you, but supposed she had gone to PP in Tulsa, and had a screening, and the screening was positive? How would she pay out of pocket for the hysterectomy, the chemotherapy, and all the other meds she would take while trying to rid herself of cancer. PP does not do surgery. Would her employer she keep her employed in a right to work state that allows employers to fire anyone for any cause?
Really, would you allow this to happen to your mother, or sister, or daughter, just because they could not afford insurance? And afterwards, no insurance company would touch them, so has does she get all the follow-up she needs?
If you are Christian, you may wish to review the entire religion, again, because you did not get it right the first time.
Really, would you allow this to happen to your mother, or sister, or daughter, just because they could not afford insurance? And afterwards, no insurance company would touch them, so has does she get all the follow-up she needs?
If you are Christian, you may wish to review the entire religion, again, because you did not get it right the first time.
5
Memory serves, Medicaid was not expanded in Oklahoma, so that Ms. Richardson may very well have fallen into the gap of those who made too money money to qualify for Medicaid and would not have received sufficient subsidies to afford private health insurance. (After the Republican SCOTUS said it was okay, Republican governors and state legislators did not expand Medicaid for that group in order to to "punish" Obama, with punishing their own citizens being the main result.)
9
"The U.N. Population Fund had hoped to scale up the vinegar test in Haiti to save more lives, but Trump has cut off all American funds to make that happen."
"“They will die a slow and painful death. And that could have been prevented for $3.”
So Mr. Kristoff's argument is that only funds from the U.S. pay for this? That's sorty of a stretch, isn't it?
"“They will die a slow and painful death. And that could have been prevented for $3.”
So Mr. Kristoff's argument is that only funds from the U.S. pay for this? That's sorty of a stretch, isn't it?
"In Tulsa, Okla., a woman named Betty Richardson, 45, told me that because she lacked health insurance she had put off going to a doctor even as she felt something was wrong. Finally, after she could wait no longer, doctors found a tumor the size of a golf ball on her cervix."
Did she lose health insurance on the day Trump took office or did she not ever have insurance? What happened to the miracle of the Affordable Care Act?
Did she lose health insurance on the day Trump took office or did she not ever have insurance? What happened to the miracle of the Affordable Care Act?
4
It was the vindictive Re[publican governor and Republican legislators in her state who refused to expand Medicaid per the ACA that caused the problem. Which they were allowed to do by a Republican-dominated Supreme Court.
So, not Donald Trump specifically, just the all the other members of his Party.
Thanks for clarifying that.
So, not Donald Trump specifically, just the all the other members of his Party.
Thanks for clarifying that.
6
This is not just a Trump thing; the GOP is complicit because the Congressional Republicans could continue to fund Planned Parenthood and related organizations.
15
I concur. The entire republican agenda is to exact control as an assault on the female population. Females walk in males shoes every single day while males are unable to walk in a females' shoes at every level all over the world. WASP personalities of well to do white landowners who are entitled to know what is best remain afraid of what they do not know. Limiting freedoms of those ideas and people they fear gives republicans a sense of controlling destiny. That civil war agenda of self right selfishness has no place in a homogeneous society of tolerance and acceptance. Women are half the population and responsibilities are heavier on our shoulders. Ask us what responsibilies we will share with males - do not take without asking - or did your momma never tell you that?
4
Why should taxpayers fund a private organization at all? I don't care if it's Planned Parenthood, an oil company, or whatever. Federal taxpayer dollars should not be funding private business, period.
1
I have been reading op/ed columns for decades, and often - too often - find the writer is focusing on a narrow issue. Not saying women's health or cervical cancer is a narrow issue: it's not.
The narrow view is that Mr. Kristof writes about President Trump's failure to provide for cervical cancer checks for women in every country around the world. Trump has been in the White House for four months. Where are the columns about President Obama's failure to do this in eight years?
And where are the columns citing the number of multi-millionaires and billionaires in the countries around the world? How many people know that the second richest person in the world is Mexican? How many billionaires in Asia, Africa, South America, Europe and Australia are donating to funds for reproductive health?
And how many people know that cervical cancer is most often caused by HPV and that young women are infected by the men they have sex with? How about HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers? How about HPV-associated anal cancer? Both throat and anal cancers affect men and women, especially gay men.
Mr. Kristof presents a narrow view - but not an unexpected view.
The narrow view is that Mr. Kristof writes about President Trump's failure to provide for cervical cancer checks for women in every country around the world. Trump has been in the White House for four months. Where are the columns about President Obama's failure to do this in eight years?
And where are the columns citing the number of multi-millionaires and billionaires in the countries around the world? How many people know that the second richest person in the world is Mexican? How many billionaires in Asia, Africa, South America, Europe and Australia are donating to funds for reproductive health?
And how many people know that cervical cancer is most often caused by HPV and that young women are infected by the men they have sex with? How about HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers? How about HPV-associated anal cancer? Both throat and anal cancers affect men and women, especially gay men.
Mr. Kristof presents a narrow view - but not an unexpected view.
5
Did you read the same column I did? Specifically
"At home, Trump is undermining the fight against cervical cancer by seeking to defund Planned Parenthood, which performs some 270,000 cervical cancer screenings annually.
"A second way Trump is hobbling the battle against cervical cancer is his 'global gag rule,' halting funding abroad for organizations linked in some way to abortion, including counseling about abortion. A third is his cutoff of funds for the United Nations Population Fund, which is a major international player in reducing deaths from cervical cancer."
These are three specific actions by Trump. What has Obama got to do with this? He didn't stop funding for PP or the UNPF, nor did he impose a gag rule. These are all products of the Republican Congress and its willing handmaiden in the Oval Office.
"At home, Trump is undermining the fight against cervical cancer by seeking to defund Planned Parenthood, which performs some 270,000 cervical cancer screenings annually.
"A second way Trump is hobbling the battle against cervical cancer is his 'global gag rule,' halting funding abroad for organizations linked in some way to abortion, including counseling about abortion. A third is his cutoff of funds for the United Nations Population Fund, which is a major international player in reducing deaths from cervical cancer."
These are three specific actions by Trump. What has Obama got to do with this? He didn't stop funding for PP or the UNPF, nor did he impose a gag rule. These are all products of the Republican Congress and its willing handmaiden in the Oval Office.
2
IIRC, President Obama increased funding for the organizations out there providing care and saving lives. Yes, he did so quietly, was it that long ago when the idea of saving lives was considered doing the right thing?
8
And along with this, report on the misappropriation of funds intended to help the people in these countries support themselves.
It is stories like this one that are the most revealing. We, including me, have been ranting about Trump being a psychopath which he surely is. However, over and above that, Trump has no heart. He has the standard 4 chamber blood pump. But he is heartless.
This is a rather common condition for individuals who are so self centered that hey are not able to register the feelings of others. Nothing that comes into them has any meaning to anything outside of their own immediate self promoting or protecting needs. It isn't cruelty exactly, it is simply a level of separative ignorance that excludes anything that does not fulfill a self aggrandized image of one's self.
This is a rather common condition for individuals who are so self centered that hey are not able to register the feelings of others. Nothing that comes into them has any meaning to anything outside of their own immediate self promoting or protecting needs. It isn't cruelty exactly, it is simply a level of separative ignorance that excludes anything that does not fulfill a self aggrandized image of one's self.
8
Hypothetically, if someone sold heroine and ice cream out of the same shop and the cops busted them for selling drugs, would you write that the cops were denying poor kids from having their ice cream? Conflate whatever you want into anything you want, for that's what you do best, Nicholas.
4
Are you comparing selling heroine to performing a LEGAL abortion? And by the way, it's not just the poor who use the services offered by Planned Parenthood.
5
And yet, an abortion is legal in America, as decided by the Supreme Court. A majority in the Congress may not like that, but a comparison to heroine (sic) sales is disingenuous and wrong.
And people aren't traipsing in for "abortions on demand;" I'm sure that most abortions are after considerable of mental anguish, or medical necessity (e.g., most late-term abortions are due to serious threats to health, with an unviable fetus, etc.).
And people aren't traipsing in for "abortions on demand;" I'm sure that most abortions are after considerable of mental anguish, or medical necessity (e.g., most late-term abortions are due to serious threats to health, with an unviable fetus, etc.).
Excellent article - thank you!.
3
Thank you for the article. Agree with it in principle. However, more emphasis needs to be placed on availability of preventive PAP smear screening early rather than uses of vinegar.
1
As always, Mr. Kristof has written a brilliant analysis of what our Demon King is doing in his quest to line the pockets of the richmat the expense of everyone else. What continues to astound me is that a sizable minority of the American public cannot see this horror. I can only conclude that they too do not care about women & children. I hold them equally responsible for this travesty.
Right wingers also want to keep parents from getting the vaccine for this for their kids, because oh noooooo, they might be more sexually active if they don't have the threat of suffering and death to worry about.
The reality is that most will pick up HIV if they are not vaccinated, even if they are not sexually active. One time "fooling around" can do it, without actually having penetration. It's really quite sadistic the way the right wingers think about this.
The reality is that most will pick up HIV if they are not vaccinated, even if they are not sexually active. One time "fooling around" can do it, without actually having penetration. It's really quite sadistic the way the right wingers think about this.
11
Considering the Guardasil vaccine only became available on a wide scale fewer than 15 years ago and is most effective with people who are not sexually active - that would not have helped the women in this article avoid some of this trouble.
1
Keep in mind Mr. Trump conducted his war on women as a priority in his first 100 days. This year marks the 169th anniversary of the movement for women to achieve full civil rights. It started earlier than the 1960's.
Very young women now can hardly imagine there was a struggle for these rights. That women would be disenfranchised in the year 2017 should shake them at their very core. They should stand firm. And diligent.
The shut down of women's clinics? Restrictions as to personal choice?
Rendering birth control more expensive and less available?
Making family planning clinics that provide women of limited income wellness exams and cancer screenings the enemy? Really, Mr. Trump??
The rate of abortions performed in the US is lower than during any year since Roe v Wade was affirmed by the Supreme Court. It's access to birth control, contraceptive implants & specialized intrauterine devices that resulted in this decline. That access is being threatened.
Female citizens of the wealthiest nation in the world should not have to worry about their basic, private reproductive rights. Men, future husbands and boyfriends, all of us human beings---should also stand up to affirm our rights.
http://www.nwhp.org/resources/womens-rights-movement/history-of-the-wome...
Very young women now can hardly imagine there was a struggle for these rights. That women would be disenfranchised in the year 2017 should shake them at their very core. They should stand firm. And diligent.
The shut down of women's clinics? Restrictions as to personal choice?
Rendering birth control more expensive and less available?
Making family planning clinics that provide women of limited income wellness exams and cancer screenings the enemy? Really, Mr. Trump??
The rate of abortions performed in the US is lower than during any year since Roe v Wade was affirmed by the Supreme Court. It's access to birth control, contraceptive implants & specialized intrauterine devices that resulted in this decline. That access is being threatened.
Female citizens of the wealthiest nation in the world should not have to worry about their basic, private reproductive rights. Men, future husbands and boyfriends, all of us human beings---should also stand up to affirm our rights.
http://www.nwhp.org/resources/womens-rights-movement/history-of-the-wome...
24
It's a hard choice but a good one. After all, not mentioned here, is that contraceptives increase risk of cervical cancer. So what Mr. Kristof proposes, is to increase risk by providing unlimited government-funded contraceptives, encourage more irresponsible sex, then offer paid screening for the ill-effects, especially cancer and unplanned abortions, and treat. All on the house. Cry me a river! It doesn't get any dumber than this folks. Better PP on financial handcuffs than this Obama lunacy. Thank you Mr. President.
2
Yes, the forced birthers also want to deny contraception, which of course will increase abortion rates. It's not just single women who seek abortions. Women want to control their bodies and their families. Keep your nose and your religion off my body.
7
Abortion and pre-marital sex does not cause cervical cancer. The writer would like to condemn women instead of supporting them.
6
TMK of New York, NY says:
"It's a hard choice but a good one. After all, not mentioned here, is that contraceptives increase risk of cervical cancer. .."
Uh, no. It's a terrible choice.
It is true that there is an association between birth control pills and an increased risk of cervical cancer. However, the association is most likely indirect; virtually all cervical cancer is caused by oncogenic types of HPV. See:
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes.../risk/.../oral-contraceptiv...
Moreover, the risk of cancer from HPV is much greater than that from long-term use of oral contraceptives; see
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/ri...
"It's a hard choice but a good one. After all, not mentioned here, is that contraceptives increase risk of cervical cancer. .."
Uh, no. It's a terrible choice.
It is true that there is an association between birth control pills and an increased risk of cervical cancer. However, the association is most likely indirect; virtually all cervical cancer is caused by oncogenic types of HPV. See:
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes.../risk/.../oral-contraceptiv...
Moreover, the risk of cancer from HPV is much greater than that from long-term use of oral contraceptives; see
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/ri...
Nick preaches to a very large choir indeed when he cautions of the need to continue supporting basic women’s health programs – in America and in the world generally. What he skates past, of course, is the insistence by some (many) that abortion paid for by those who regard it a deadly sin is a part of that basic healthcare, cannot be separated from it, and must be supported as well as tests for cervical cancer.
I happen to agree with a woman’s right to abortion and I’m a very strong supporter of Roe. But I’m also a realist: liberals are not going to win this fight, and should be sensible about how they seek to protect access to non-controversial forms of women’s healthcare for our neediest.
That means complete separation of abortion from everything else, public financing of that everything else for the indigent (and we could do this), with abortion funded by separate organizations depending entirely on charitable contributions (I’d contribute).
There will be the normal expressions of outrage by responders that this caves to what they regard as a Neolithic attitude about women’s right to have abortions provided free if they can’t afford to pay and travel to a place where they’re performed professionally. But those expressions of outrage get us nowhere in the teeth of resistance by millions.
Protect access to basic healthcare for women, THEN try to change very entrenched attitudes and convictions.
I happen to agree with a woman’s right to abortion and I’m a very strong supporter of Roe. But I’m also a realist: liberals are not going to win this fight, and should be sensible about how they seek to protect access to non-controversial forms of women’s healthcare for our neediest.
That means complete separation of abortion from everything else, public financing of that everything else for the indigent (and we could do this), with abortion funded by separate organizations depending entirely on charitable contributions (I’d contribute).
There will be the normal expressions of outrage by responders that this caves to what they regard as a Neolithic attitude about women’s right to have abortions provided free if they can’t afford to pay and travel to a place where they’re performed professionally. But those expressions of outrage get us nowhere in the teeth of resistance by millions.
Protect access to basic healthcare for women, THEN try to change very entrenched attitudes and convictions.
4
But the majority of Americans WANT legal abortions available to all.
Federal funds already do NOT fund abortions. Next the forced birthers will try to restrict contraception.
Federal funds already do NOT fund abortions. Next the forced birthers will try to restrict contraception.
In a meeting with Saudi women today, Ivanka Trump described herself as a “female leader within the Trump administration” and said her focus was “to help empower women in the United States and around the globe.” Her first act should be to convince her father to reverse himself on issues like Planned Parenthood and cancer research funding and defunding the ACA. What's more likely to happen is that Ivanka will exist in a parallel universe, promoting women's causes while her father undermines them.
24
Words are cheap. That's one lesson all the Trumps have learned. If you say it you can move on and forget it.
13
Maybe Ivanka Trump could put her money where her mouth is. She could use her foundation to fund Planned Parenthood.
6
War on women? Sounds about right, Essentially Trump is perpetrating - inflicting - a holocaust on women around the world. (I am using the definition of holocaust at dictionary.com - "any mass slaughter or reckless destruction of life." and Wikipedia " mass murder, based on other ethnic or biological [women] factors") No wonder Trump fits in well with Saudis paternalistic norms and treatment of women. Shame on him.
38
Many of the women affected by Trump's ancient out dated health care policies and attitude toward women in general and are afflicted by health problems voted for this misogynist white old obese two scoops man..... he made his misogyny clear from the start and they and their undereducated ill informed boyfriends and husbands loved the way he spoke and the angry racist homophobic white supremiscist things he said. So they're surprised? And they still LOVE him! You can't fix stupid.
22
Its not just Trump Its also the Republican Congress and unfortunately the women in Congress and the Senate could do something about it if they wanted to. How about an amendment to the "in the works" Senate plan that takes away funding for Viagra, prostrate care, etc for all the guys? As a sign said in the Women's March "if you take away my reproductive rights, can I take away yours?" Its all about power and religious beliefs, not about health care.
5
Keep at it Nicholas. Old white men shouldn't be allowed to make decisions on women's rights. Not POTUS, especially not SCOTUS, not the strange western brothers ?cokes?
And for heaven's sake, keep "god" out of it. It's doctor/patient - end of story!!
And for heaven's sake, keep "god" out of it. It's doctor/patient - end of story!!
47
Where can I send money for Yeye's child to go back to school?
16
Is it surprising that the whiny rich kid grew up to be a careless, thoughtless jerk?
24
Looks like the dung pushing beetle is at it again and right wing Republicans are leading the charge - nasty little vermon.
9
I've said it before: Republicans hate women. They're frightened of them. Let them suffer and die. It's that simple.
39
I consisder these kind of egregious decisions criminal. Looking at a picture of a room full of supposed Christian men surrounding an ignorant President making decisions about women worldwide. Thank you Rev Pence from, Hypocritville!
38
One wonders about PP's priorities. 270,000 pap tests vs 300,000 abortions a year.
Thanks for this
4
Well said.
3
So much for vacuous Ivanka's influence.
11
Any woman, no matter her accomplishments, will never be of any worth to Mr. Trump, unless she elicits his sexual desire. The only exception being if he breeds one, who obeys his every command, while also stoking his twisted lusts.
He said so himself.
He said so himself.
22
I wonder what Trump voters think about this, the 270.000 cervical tests women in the U.S. will now miss, or what they think of the announced 30% proposed cuts to the EPA, which will most certainly be approved by Trump's henchmen in Congress. It doesn't take much imagination to guess what Trump voters think about the impact of the gag rule on women in Haiti, but I would love to hear from those white, working-class Trump voters from IA,PA,WI, MI, OH and hear their arguments for having insurance subsidies, lifesaving access to tests and treatment stolen from poor U.S. women. I would love to have my presumptions, namely that they don't give a damn, as long as it doesn't concern their own precious selves, their manufacturing crisis, their opioid crisis, proven wrong. I'd love to hear from Christian Republicans in Texas, who care only about religious dogma and not an iota about the mother's life how they justify stealing 3$ to save women's lives. That's the Great American Republican electorate of today, selfish, venal, short sighted, bigoted. Somebody prove me wrong.
21
With Donald's vast ignorance and short attention span all he can really focus on is money. Spend less on the poor so the extra money can be directed to the wealthy. Health issues aside, all the extra innocent babies are doomed to follow in their families footsteps. Trump is monster.
20
No worries.
Trump has assured us that we will all be covered "beautifully" when it's all said and done.
What, you don't believe him?
Trump has assured us that we will all be covered "beautifully" when it's all said and done.
What, you don't believe him?
9
You, a man, are writing about cervical cancer because you are a good man, an ethical man, who is interested in working for the common good. Would that all men did.
Republicans were waging war on women's health long before Trump became president through state legislatures and the assault on Planned Parenthood here in the United States but now they have expanded their assault worldwide.
18
I wonder, how can this be happening? I grew up thinking the US was the greatest country in the world. Not only powerful, but empathetic, caring and willing to help those less fortunate. That belief is being systematically destroyed by Trump and his minions so full of self righteousness. How can any who support this madman call themselves Christians? It is obvious the entire Trump machine does not care one bit about women's survival, let alone equality. Perhaps that is why he is receiving a nobleman's welcome in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi family is certainly not known for gender equality. And, PS, Ivanka Trump hides behind a message of female empowerment when in actuality she is simply a shill for her father.
one of Mr.Kristoff's best columns. the absurd,
inhuman policies of this administration are
costing women their lives, because Mr.Trump
must please the radical right of his party.
we are the United States of America, for goodness
sake. we are the leader of the free world.
if not us,who?
if not now,when?
inhuman policies of this administration are
costing women their lives, because Mr.Trump
must please the radical right of his party.
we are the United States of America, for goodness
sake. we are the leader of the free world.
if not us,who?
if not now,when?
Nicholas, people need to calm down and wake up.
Trump has done little or nothing since January. All the hysteria is getting rather old, and he is basically a status quo politician with no principles in the process of self-destructing.
Please relax.
Trump has done little or nothing since January. All the hysteria is getting rather old, and he is basically a status quo politician with no principles in the process of self-destructing.
Please relax.
HPV, the family of viruses that causes cervical cancer, is also responsible for millions of cases of head and neck cancer, genital, anal, and rectal cancer, in women AND men, the world over.
Organizations that provide prevention and screening save lives of women and men who would otherwise be cut down in the prime of their lives. Before Dr. Papanikolaou invented the Pap smear, cervical cancer was the number one cause of death for women in their 30's and 40's.
Once we had the Pap smear, it was still decades before we discovered that it was HPV (human papilloma virus) that was the cause of cervical cancer. Epidemiologists figured it out by analyzing the statistics regarding who died from cervical cancer. They noticed that women from all stations of life died of cervical cancer--except nuns. Only some nuns did die from cervical cancer: nuns who had been raped during WWI and WWII. This observation led to the hypothesis (now accepted fact) that the causative factor in cervical cancer deaths was a sexually transmitted infection.
Perhaps we can show compassion to politicians who can't possibly know every bit of scientific and historical minutia. And then perhaps we all can show compassion to those victims, women, men, girls, and boys of wartime rape, by expanding access to screening and prevention, rather then reducing our support.
(Not to mention vastly reducing abortions, by expanding access to fertility education and birth control.)
Please, people.
Organizations that provide prevention and screening save lives of women and men who would otherwise be cut down in the prime of their lives. Before Dr. Papanikolaou invented the Pap smear, cervical cancer was the number one cause of death for women in their 30's and 40's.
Once we had the Pap smear, it was still decades before we discovered that it was HPV (human papilloma virus) that was the cause of cervical cancer. Epidemiologists figured it out by analyzing the statistics regarding who died from cervical cancer. They noticed that women from all stations of life died of cervical cancer--except nuns. Only some nuns did die from cervical cancer: nuns who had been raped during WWI and WWII. This observation led to the hypothesis (now accepted fact) that the causative factor in cervical cancer deaths was a sexually transmitted infection.
Perhaps we can show compassion to politicians who can't possibly know every bit of scientific and historical minutia. And then perhaps we all can show compassion to those victims, women, men, girls, and boys of wartime rape, by expanding access to screening and prevention, rather then reducing our support.
(Not to mention vastly reducing abortions, by expanding access to fertility education and birth control.)
Please, people.
23
Can we learn this vinegar technique and help ourselves until our government comes to its senses? Seriously, the Canadian health care provider who commented here has me both ashamed and frightened. We need to help ourselves, it seems, because our government under Trump is anti-woman.
12
You need training to identify cancerous spots and you need the instrument of burn them off.....
1
As a direct (and indirect) result of Trump's Global Gag Rule, 1 million women will die each year...the equivalent of a 747 jet airliner full of women crashing each day that Trump is in office. If this statistical example were a reality, with this many women fatalities resulting from preventable airline safety measures, the world would literally stop and do whatever is necessary to prevent this disaster. But, Trump's War on Women forces them to "die a slow and painful death, that could have been prevented for $3." Do women's lives matter? Apparently not.
19
President Trump's scorched earth policies endanger all of us. Why does he do it? To feed his own ego. Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a very serious mental illness, especially for a President.
Why did he share classified secrets with the enemy? Because it fed his ego, not that he thought it would necessarily benefit the Russians. Why does he completely disregard women's health here and abroad? Because someone is patting him on the back for it and saying how big and powerful he is.
The only thing Narcissists care about is the preservation of image and ego. To Mr. Trump, women are not human.
Why did he share classified secrets with the enemy? Because it fed his ego, not that he thought it would necessarily benefit the Russians. Why does he completely disregard women's health here and abroad? Because someone is patting him on the back for it and saying how big and powerful he is.
The only thing Narcissists care about is the preservation of image and ego. To Mr. Trump, women are not human.
24
The Republican's "war on women" wouldn't be as successful if it wasn't for all those double agents in their midst. I guarantee you if men's reproductive options were legislated in any way shape or form by the Republican Party, it would not be a viable party for long. If you think the NRA is an immovable force, wait until you see what happens when you try to take ownership away from their other gun. The term "cold, dead hands" comes to mind.
10
When George W. Bush defunded UNFPA in 2002 of $34 million Lois and I started asking 34 million Americans for one dollar. Why not reach out to the women of the world now also and pay a visit to 34 Million Friends.
4
Tulsa, Ok has a Planned Parenthood clinic. Why did Ms. Richardson not seek free healthcare there? PP keeps saying they are all about Women's health and all the care they provide. When such basic, routine care as pap smears are done 270,000 times a year and abortions are done > 300,000 times a year they don't seem to be spreading that message effectively.
1
Mr. Kristof doesn't report whether she knew about the clinic, so we can't judge whether the information was available to her. It could have been that she was nervous about Planned Parenthood because of the negative publicity.
According to this article, the Tulsa clinic does not and never has provided abortion services. It also provides some insights into the history of Tulsa Planned Parenthood which might surprise you.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/ginniegraham/ginnie-graham-a-look-at-the-...
According to this article, the Tulsa clinic does not and never has provided abortion services. It also provides some insights into the history of Tulsa Planned Parenthood which might surprise you.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/ginniegraham/ginnie-graham-a-look-at-the-...
4
Mr. President's view of the female pelvic floor was revealed in the Billy Bush episode. Obviously, he knows little about female anatomy or biology evidence his crude perspective. To him, women are objects of sexual utility notwithstanding evidence that his Propecia (read the literature) regiment leaves him mostly sidelined from his wife in her separate bedroom. Women's health worldwide is in desperate need of philosophic change and attention. Most health issues are entirely addressable however held back by male political perspective.
8
Each new editorial says the same thing over and over and over again.
Old white men continue to govern over 50% ( women ) of the population with disregard and animus that their bodies function differently and require more health care. ( especially preventative )
As soon as the world is governed proportionally to the realities of gender, the better it shall be.
I can only hope for the sake of my daughters.
Old white men continue to govern over 50% ( women ) of the population with disregard and animus that their bodies function differently and require more health care. ( especially preventative )
As soon as the world is governed proportionally to the realities of gender, the better it shall be.
I can only hope for the sake of my daughters.
15
As an oncologist, Kristof nails it with what many of us say "No one should die of cervical cancer in 2017"-it’s highly preventable. The cost and investment for routine Pap smears and the HPV vaccine are so small compared to the astronomical costs of chemotherapy, radiation, and radical surgery which can devastate women reproductively, physically, and emotionally. Not to mention once this cancer is caught late, it is not curable. In other words, a highly preventable disease becomes a death sentence for these unfortunate women because they do not have access to its preventive care.
Behrouz Zand, M.D.
Behrouz Zand, M.D.
So if PP is defunded, a high proportion of a quarter million women in America will not be able to afford screening against a preventable but painful death.
Law makers who support this should all be added to a public database and blacklisted by doctors for all preventative care, especially colonoscopies.
Law makers who support this should all be added to a public database and blacklisted by doctors for all preventative care, especially colonoscopies.
12
Ms Richardson's photo conveys everything your words echo.
Those who purport to represent our "advanced nation" are elected and returned to office on a regular basis as they are for the most part men who tend to intimidate as a means of impressing the voters.
Those who purport to represent our "advanced nation" are elected and returned to office on a regular basis as they are for the most part men who tend to intimidate as a means of impressing the voters.
3
Trump's whole rationale is that, since he's not female, why should he care ab out Women's Health Care. But, health care really isn't the issue, at all.
His so-called self-financed campaign was really funded by the Billionacrcy--the likes of the Koch Brothers, and Friends. Now, except for the generals, if you consider who his Cabinet and various outside advisers were, you guessed it--Billionaires. And, what don't Billionaires like paying for:
Income Taxes; Public Schools;corporate regulations, Health Care--young or old; any sort of public safety net programs, at all. And they just love all of the fossil fuels, but they won't clean up after them!
If you just look at what Donald is trying to do--and not go by what he says--consider:
1. he's pushing School Choice, which becomes institutional racism, since the charters select only the best students, and poor families cannot pay what the vouchers don't. in private school tuitions
2. Slashing State's budget to beef-up Defense is counterproductive, since many of the state programs counter the excesses--poverty, poor health and sexism--in poor countries.
3. Freeing the banks to run-wild, tsaking us back to 2008.
4. dropping trade agreements--especially TPP--since they keep us relevant militarily in overseas regions.
5. Defunding PPA, which is the single most important health care provider for women, and some men, on Medicaid.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
His so-called self-financed campaign was really funded by the Billionacrcy--the likes of the Koch Brothers, and Friends. Now, except for the generals, if you consider who his Cabinet and various outside advisers were, you guessed it--Billionaires. And, what don't Billionaires like paying for:
Income Taxes; Public Schools;corporate regulations, Health Care--young or old; any sort of public safety net programs, at all. And they just love all of the fossil fuels, but they won't clean up after them!
If you just look at what Donald is trying to do--and not go by what he says--consider:
1. he's pushing School Choice, which becomes institutional racism, since the charters select only the best students, and poor families cannot pay what the vouchers don't. in private school tuitions
2. Slashing State's budget to beef-up Defense is counterproductive, since many of the state programs counter the excesses--poverty, poor health and sexism--in poor countries.
3. Freeing the banks to run-wild, tsaking us back to 2008.
4. dropping trade agreements--especially TPP--since they keep us relevant militarily in overseas regions.
5. Defunding PPA, which is the single most important health care provider for women, and some men, on Medicaid.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
9
There is nothing remotely " pro life" about forcing
women to bear children against their will or
making basic gynecological healthcare unavailable.
I try to understand where this deep seated hatred
of women comes from and I can only trace it back to
religion. I cannot think of a religion that does not vilify
females other than perhaps Hinduism with its litany
of female goddesses.
I am certain our friend trump has impregnated women
in his long career as sexual predator and I am certain
those women had abortions.
women to bear children against their will or
making basic gynecological healthcare unavailable.
I try to understand where this deep seated hatred
of women comes from and I can only trace it back to
religion. I cannot think of a religion that does not vilify
females other than perhaps Hinduism with its litany
of female goddesses.
I am certain our friend trump has impregnated women
in his long career as sexual predator and I am certain
those women had abortions.
23
The advent of Trump has illustrated to me how Republican men revile women. I feel that we are being flung back into the sixties. What is next? The banning of birth control in America?
I worry for my daughter and granddaughter. I worry for myself as well. My nightmares won't stop.
I worry for my daughter and granddaughter. I worry for myself as well. My nightmares won't stop.
12
Trump and the republicans who position themselves as "pro-life" champions forget to mention that their passion is pro-life before birth, their after birth mantra is "..good luck, you are on your own."
6
A very compelling yet unnecessarily divisive issue.
2
This is truly an outrage! Please provide a safe link or address so that those of us who are willing to help prevent needless deaths from cervical cancer can contribute. (I lost a dear friend to cervical cancer and horrified to the point of nausea by the ignorant callousness of this administration !)
"The U.N. Population Fund had hoped to scale up the vinegar test in Haiti to save more lives, but Trump has cut off all American funds to make that happen."
Vinegar (def): known for having a distinctive sour taste and pungent smell.
Ironically, it seems as though vinegar and Trump have a lot in common.
Vinegar (def): known for having a distinctive sour taste and pungent smell.
Ironically, it seems as though vinegar and Trump have a lot in common.
Preventing cervical cancer does not cut taxes for big earners and therefore is not a GOP priority.
7
Nicholas, every such article like this one is you at your best. Simplicity, clear examples, and approaches that save lives.
You point to the already poor record in the USA, soon to become worse, and also mention Sweden as one of the countries that tries to help women in poor countries where cervical cancer mortality rates are extremely high.
So as a dual citizen of US and SE I offer this simple example of the difference between Universal Health Care and American health care.
In Sweden we have an OnLine system called 1177 Vårdguiden (1177 guide to health care). I visit this site and there I see a superior presentation on Gynecelogical cell testing:
I learn that EVERY woman between 23 and 50 years of age receives a letter every 3d year inviting her to come in for gynecological cell testing. This test is cost-free.
Compare that with Betty Richarson's story. Any woman in Sweden who wants to be tested can simply contact her "Vårdcentral" to request examination. It is this total coverage for ALL women under the UHC systems in Sweden, Switzerland, and other advanced countries that results in the best level of health for the greatest percentage of the people in each country.
And Nicholas, thanks to you I will now send my quarterly contribution to Edna Adan Hospital in Hargeisia, Somalia, a hospital devoted to care for women, especially those who are pregnant.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
You point to the already poor record in the USA, soon to become worse, and also mention Sweden as one of the countries that tries to help women in poor countries where cervical cancer mortality rates are extremely high.
So as a dual citizen of US and SE I offer this simple example of the difference between Universal Health Care and American health care.
In Sweden we have an OnLine system called 1177 Vårdguiden (1177 guide to health care). I visit this site and there I see a superior presentation on Gynecelogical cell testing:
I learn that EVERY woman between 23 and 50 years of age receives a letter every 3d year inviting her to come in for gynecological cell testing. This test is cost-free.
Compare that with Betty Richarson's story. Any woman in Sweden who wants to be tested can simply contact her "Vårdcentral" to request examination. It is this total coverage for ALL women under the UHC systems in Sweden, Switzerland, and other advanced countries that results in the best level of health for the greatest percentage of the people in each country.
And Nicholas, thanks to you I will now send my quarterly contribution to Edna Adan Hospital in Hargeisia, Somalia, a hospital devoted to care for women, especially those who are pregnant.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
7
Please remember that these anti-women policies are Pence's policies. He takes the lead on these issues, so do not be fooled into thinking that impeachment will solve this.
29
Let us cease giving credence to Michael Pence and his ideology. That's what we are really discussing here because Trump as a human being is a zero.
Let's 'activate' our children. Let's remove states rights over an educational indoctrination that is is funded and propagated as I write. Check out the NEW textbooks that remove science and humanity.
Christianity has been destroyed by greed. It is nothing more than a whip to guilt trip the weak.
Let's 'activate' our children. Let's remove states rights over an educational indoctrination that is is funded and propagated as I write. Check out the NEW textbooks that remove science and humanity.
Christianity has been destroyed by greed. It is nothing more than a whip to guilt trip the weak.
7
All citizens, particularly women, should remember this when the go to the polls in 2018 and 2020 and vote for the candidate that will consider women's health a top priority.
10
The title of Nick's piece today answers itself. Trump is winning. Women's health is losing.
4
The GOP in its unholy marriage to the Evangelical right and the Catholic hierarchy, styles itself as pro-child and anti-abortion. Healthcare is cut for children, public education is being destroyed by the Hatchet Mama, Betsy Devos and everything is going to plan. They scream about being pro-life and are virulently anti-abortion but really, they are "forced birthers". Once a pregnancy comes to term and is born, that mother and child are on their own, like the children in this column. This makes "pro-life" a cruel and sadistic 'joke' only none of us are laughing.
6
There are deeply religious Catholics out there who are adamantly against the American Health Care Act (Trumpcare) because $880 billion would be cut from Medicaid. Much of these Medicaid funds go to women and children's healthcare, not to mention the elderly poor. Don't believe that the Catholic religion is all about abortion. Pope Francis and his comments are reviled by "conservative" voices as being the rantings of a "Socialist."
And I am not a Catholic.
And I am not a Catholic.
1
I think Socrates meant 7.5 billion humans; not million
Clearly too many by half
Avoiding war, pestilence and starvation, how do we humanely abate our species?
Clearly too many by half
Avoiding war, pestilence and starvation, how do we humanely abate our species?
1
" To his great credit, George W. Bush has made cervical cancer an important thread of his post-presidency.."
To his great disgrace he did nothing DURING his presidency, when it would have mattered much more.
And today we hear not a peep of objection about his fellows Republicans trying to destroy Planned Parenthood.
To his great disgrace he did nothing DURING his presidency, when it would have mattered much more.
And today we hear not a peep of objection about his fellows Republicans trying to destroy Planned Parenthood.
6
Where can we contribute to help make up the funds our govt has cut off?
2
We should be supporting organizations that assist women's health issues around the world but do not support abortion. We want women to live Md be healthy but we must not kill innocent babies in the process. We are one of the most generous nations on earth. We give more money than any other country.
1
The say they are pro life but they are really just anti abortion. The proof is when they vote against WIC.
It truly makes me very sad to see how human life is totally disregarded by a republican rabble that will proclaim to be God fearing Christians when all they really want is greater tax breaks.
It truly makes me very sad to see how human life is totally disregarded by a republican rabble that will proclaim to be God fearing Christians when all they really want is greater tax breaks.
3
Ive buried too many women in this country and Haiti who have had cervical cancer, thank you for bringing this to our attention. I do not understand Christian women ( I am Christian) who will stop funding clinics because there could be an abortion done there and therefore create more deaths due to cervical cancer. Jesus weeps.
Texas had an enormous increase in maternal deaths when it closed so many women's health clinics and now its politicians are banning specific medical procedures. It had already sunk to third world standards.
When did it become moral for Republicans to kill women and girls? To deny them basic healthcare? A vinegar test and a cheap lifesaving procedure will no longer be possible thanks to the cruelty of Trump's policies. No federal money has been used for abortions for many years now so this is about denying reproductive health care from contraceptives to cancer screenings.
Why is it OK to kill women and girls? Seriously Republicans, why are you about death and suffering now? Do you get some kind of perverted satisfaction from it? From destroying healthcare especially for women and girls? Back during Vietnam there was a chant: "Hey, hey, LBJ, how many men did you kill today?"
So Trump and the GOP, you snigger and laugh about women needing mammograms and maternity care? How many women and girls are you killing this week, this year? Do you care? It's all about tax cuts for the rich now. No consciences. Calculated cruelty. How do you sleep at night? Counting bodies?
When did it become moral for Republicans to kill women and girls? To deny them basic healthcare? A vinegar test and a cheap lifesaving procedure will no longer be possible thanks to the cruelty of Trump's policies. No federal money has been used for abortions for many years now so this is about denying reproductive health care from contraceptives to cancer screenings.
Why is it OK to kill women and girls? Seriously Republicans, why are you about death and suffering now? Do you get some kind of perverted satisfaction from it? From destroying healthcare especially for women and girls? Back during Vietnam there was a chant: "Hey, hey, LBJ, how many men did you kill today?"
So Trump and the GOP, you snigger and laugh about women needing mammograms and maternity care? How many women and girls are you killing this week, this year? Do you care? It's all about tax cuts for the rich now. No consciences. Calculated cruelty. How do you sleep at night? Counting bodies?
13
Well put SMB!
....so sad and so true...
....so sad and so true...
3
To call Trump and his co-conspirators pro life or pro birth is a misnomer of gigantic proportions. They are purely misogynistic. If they were anti-abortion or even just "pro-birth" as has become a term of their opposition, they would at the least fund prenatal care. You can't have healthy children born without good prenatal care and delivery. To deny routine health screenings for cervical cancer is just mean. Especially when you consider that cervical cancer is almost always the result of hetero-sexual contact. For evidence, the rate of cervical cancer among nuns and committed lesbian women is virtually non-existent. The pre-cancerous lesions detected by the vinegar test are caused by HPV (genital warts). We should be doing everything in our power world wide to reduce the suffering and improve the lives of people. And every study ever done, shows that by improving the health and lives of women, their children do better. It is the humane, dare I say fundamentally religious, response.
3
So you wrote this story. Will anyone in the GOP controlled congress read it and reverse their sociopathic policies and bills?
It's simply a lack of common sense and promises made to uninformed single-issue voters.
These GOP Senators and Congressmen should know that the job of the politician is always to lead human nature in the right direction. Not to pander to it.
It's simply a lack of common sense and promises made to uninformed single-issue voters.
These GOP Senators and Congressmen should know that the job of the politician is always to lead human nature in the right direction. Not to pander to it.
5
Ladykiller (quite literally) Trump's evil export: He's putting the moves on women from other countries, similar to the steps to erode and mangle rights guaranteed by Roe vs. Wade at home. In every case, here and abroad, it's disgusting.
2
Save the $3 - give it to the rich (who don't need it) and call it "freedom", just as the lack of health care in America will enable people to finally be "free".
Really pathetic that men find this kind of routine dismissal of women to be the only way they can feel good about themselves, the only way they can compete for a job, the only way they can treat half of the planet's population.
Really pathetic, too, when women accept such a system built on hatred of women, a system that turns a blind eye to unnecessary death, rape and other assault, keeping women down in the workplace...all so that these women can continue to feel morally superior, without ever finding themselves in danger of having to prove themselves on merit.
Women's health is society's health...and our society is just getting sicker.
Really pathetic that men find this kind of routine dismissal of women to be the only way they can feel good about themselves, the only way they can compete for a job, the only way they can treat half of the planet's population.
Really pathetic, too, when women accept such a system built on hatred of women, a system that turns a blind eye to unnecessary death, rape and other assault, keeping women down in the workplace...all so that these women can continue to feel morally superior, without ever finding themselves in danger of having to prove themselves on merit.
Women's health is society's health...and our society is just getting sicker.
4
This is murder on a grand scale and at arms' length. What is wrong with right wing religious women that they can't recognize how they are no different from the rest of us yet continue to support those who curtail civil rights by sex?
Why do you consistently vote for state representatives who put your own life at risk? Would you stand by while the state decided that you needed to cover your entire body in a black drape in order to be acceptable? Your rights are no greater than those you "allow" to other women. This is tyranny of the sort that JS Mill argued about in the 19th century and that we had an entire revolution about: the right of a citizen to be free from the coercion of the state. Do you believe that you are saving souls when you condemn poor women to death by cancer or child birth?
Why do you consistently vote for state representatives who put your own life at risk? Would you stand by while the state decided that you needed to cover your entire body in a black drape in order to be acceptable? Your rights are no greater than those you "allow" to other women. This is tyranny of the sort that JS Mill argued about in the 19th century and that we had an entire revolution about: the right of a citizen to be free from the coercion of the state. Do you believe that you are saving souls when you condemn poor women to death by cancer or child birth?
5
Here’s what I find disconcerting. I don’t think the president cares one way or another about women’s health. At the very least, it is not a priority, he is ambivalent. So, he trades on it, like property, to appease certain wings of his party.
When he signed the legislation giving states the right to hinder women’s access to health care by denying providers like Planned Parenthood, he did so behind closed doors. No press.
I thought that was revealing.
When he signed the legislation giving states the right to hinder women’s access to health care by denying providers like Planned Parenthood, he did so behind closed doors. No press.
I thought that was revealing.
13
Voting is considered a personal choice in the US; but its consequences affect everyone. Yet we spend little time on teaching the effects of not voting in our public schools. STEM courses, hailed as The Future, and deemed worthy of priority, still require an educated populous to vote on how we want those technologies used, how best to bring their benefits to the world and not just to a few executives running profitable companies. We cede our constitutional rights to corporations when we tell ourselves voting doesn’t matter. Electing a particular individual has visible results; his or her policies have lasting consequences for millions that go unmentioned in the distributed press.
Today a little over 50% of registered voters actually cast a ballot. To achieve higher turnout we need to start a “Voting is not just a right; it’s a responsibility” program in our public schools. Each year, kindergarten through high school, voting should be researched, debated, and discussed and written about in class. Make it lively and voting will live. We must have truly engaged citizens who believe in the power of the vote, because voting is the glue that holds all our disparate views together.
Today a little over 50% of registered voters actually cast a ballot. To achieve higher turnout we need to start a “Voting is not just a right; it’s a responsibility” program in our public schools. Each year, kindergarten through high school, voting should be researched, debated, and discussed and written about in class. Make it lively and voting will live. We must have truly engaged citizens who believe in the power of the vote, because voting is the glue that holds all our disparate views together.
3
So if some of these cuts are not about money saved, we have to ask a hard question: why do Republicans pass policy that hurts women here and abroad? Then a harder question: why do women continue to vote for them? If these policies do not save women's lives then they take them. That is not pro-life. period.
6
Thank you for highlighting cervical cancer as one of the myriad of ways that anti-abortion ideology is harming the health of women in America and around the world. When politicians deny reproductive rights to women they condemn women and children to death, poverty, and suffering.
Trump often follows the lead of his Republican masters and base and according to this group government has no role in health issues. Thus conservatives would cut off not only women's health funding, but money for all the health needs of populations here and abroad. For them Medicare and Medicaid would be scraped completely if they could get away with it. In Trump's budget inspired by conservatives funding for cancer research and the NiH were slashed to the bone.
Of course women's health issues are especially vulnerable because we have a government dominated right now by conservative men whose consciousness is barely above cave man level. But deaths from Opiod addiction and suicide among white men fro 45 to 55 in lower incomes and the failure of our Congress to act shows that much of our Congress are an equal opportunity death panel.
Of course women's health issues are especially vulnerable because we have a government dominated right now by conservative men whose consciousness is barely above cave man level. But deaths from Opiod addiction and suicide among white men fro 45 to 55 in lower incomes and the failure of our Congress to act shows that much of our Congress are an equal opportunity death panel.
3
Although Trump is "the tip of the spear" in the battle against women's health, we must also recognize the blood on the hands of all the republican congressmen and congresswomen, who voted for this. How can anyone, who proclaims Christian pro-life beliefs, also support taking away funding for programs that save women's lives worldwide.
This is the worst hypocrisy because it's deadly. Hopefully, God is paying attention and punishment in inevitable. In these circumstances, I cannot "turn the other cheek". I want these politicians stopped by whatever it takes.
This is the worst hypocrisy because it's deadly. Hopefully, God is paying attention and punishment in inevitable. In these circumstances, I cannot "turn the other cheek". I want these politicians stopped by whatever it takes.
3
These tragic stories break my heart. So does the fact that as I write, there are only 26 comments. Hopefully, that doesn't reflect fully the number of people who've read your informative piece. I'll be sending it to several friends.
7
Thank you Mr. Kristof for such an eye opening piece. Preventative health care for women will not only save lives but is cost effective too. Why do President Trump and his GOP counterparts ignore theses facts? All of them at some point emerged from a woman's womb.(Well, most of them, some may have just crawled out from under a rock.) THESE men will never stand up for woman's health issues. It is up to our female legislators and political leaders to take a stand. Their voices have not been heard and need to get a lot louder. It is time for women to unite against the male patriarchy and support a health care agenda that respects ALL women.
4
I often think Democrats need to find another way to talk about abortion, a way that acknowledges the deeply held beliefs of those who believe life begins at conception. It's easy enough to understand why people who hold that belief think that abortion is murder. From the opposite perspective it seems hard for the "pro-life" folks to comprehend that there are those who equally sincerely do not share their belief.
The idea that Republicans are willing to undermine the healthcare of women would be less potent if they would give up railing against Planned Parenthood in their effort to take away one of the few places where a pregnant woman can get an abortion. Reading the comments that say it would be easy for Planned Parenthood to make that decision in order to continue to receive federal aid makes me sad and angry. The international services surviving on a shoestring are even more vulnerable. The individuals who suffer are the real victims.
I think politicians often go overboard in citing attacks on women's healthcare, but this piece provides evidence that there is a core of truth in the accusations.
The idea that Republicans are willing to undermine the healthcare of women would be less potent if they would give up railing against Planned Parenthood in their effort to take away one of the few places where a pregnant woman can get an abortion. Reading the comments that say it would be easy for Planned Parenthood to make that decision in order to continue to receive federal aid makes me sad and angry. The international services surviving on a shoestring are even more vulnerable. The individuals who suffer are the real victims.
I think politicians often go overboard in citing attacks on women's healthcare, but this piece provides evidence that there is a core of truth in the accusations.
2
Women's reproductive healthcare IS their healthcare, not some minor subset of it. Kristof picks up the story of cervical cancer, an obvious health risk, but reproductive care affects every aspect of health.
Pregnancy puts women at risk of high blood pressure, even stroke, diabetes, depression, hemorrhage, and increases the risk of treatment and death from disease while pregnant. Women with other long term illnesses can be put at grave risk with an unmonitored pregnancy.
And contraception can both prevent some diseases and prevent pregnancy. Routine care can prevent cancer, treat disease. Maternity care can help both women and babies survive pregnancies.
But the religious right, unable to make their moral case against both abortion and contraception from the pulpit have decided to make it from Congress. They have framed women's healthcare as an extra, a type of care not needed by everybody. And they have framed the services provided as moral choices not necessities. Good women won't need preventative care.
Among my narrow circle of friends, I know of one who was life-flighted across 100 miles of farmland to get to a neo-natal unit because pre-eclampsia nearly killed her, and another who needs contraception because she cannot survive another near fatal hemorrhage. I was severely post-partum.
These are health issues, and should not be subject to the whims a few who think they know God's mind.
Pregnancy puts women at risk of high blood pressure, even stroke, diabetes, depression, hemorrhage, and increases the risk of treatment and death from disease while pregnant. Women with other long term illnesses can be put at grave risk with an unmonitored pregnancy.
And contraception can both prevent some diseases and prevent pregnancy. Routine care can prevent cancer, treat disease. Maternity care can help both women and babies survive pregnancies.
But the religious right, unable to make their moral case against both abortion and contraception from the pulpit have decided to make it from Congress. They have framed women's healthcare as an extra, a type of care not needed by everybody. And they have framed the services provided as moral choices not necessities. Good women won't need preventative care.
Among my narrow circle of friends, I know of one who was life-flighted across 100 miles of farmland to get to a neo-natal unit because pre-eclampsia nearly killed her, and another who needs contraception because she cannot survive another near fatal hemorrhage. I was severely post-partum.
These are health issues, and should not be subject to the whims a few who think they know God's mind.
6
The Republican President was not the first Republican to declare war on women's healthcare. That war was declared long ago and has been fought for two generations. My daughter's generation suffered through that war. My grandsons are taking up the battle.
My oldest grandson was a member of the local Planned Parenthood Teen Council. He is a very good speaker and often made classroom presentation in local high schools (some school districts in Southeast Minnesota excluded Teen Council presentations). He even spoke at a private, religious college, answered questions and received a standing ovation.
The war on women is a zombie Republican tradition. It will not end until voters drive a stake through the heart of the Republican Party.
My oldest grandson was a member of the local Planned Parenthood Teen Council. He is a very good speaker and often made classroom presentation in local high schools (some school districts in Southeast Minnesota excluded Teen Council presentations). He even spoke at a private, religious college, answered questions and received a standing ovation.
The war on women is a zombie Republican tradition. It will not end until voters drive a stake through the heart of the Republican Party.
7
it may be that the wider picture of women's health has been damaged by the the narrower conflict over abortion, a conflation due mainly to approval or condemnation of the entire based on one's views toward the latter.
the categories need to be separated in debate, kept separate as long as there are such deeply felt differences and as long as the media continue to cloud even that contention with its drum beat of anti-trump invective,
women's health, including many of the medical services during pregnancy that are not strictly abortion procedures, needs to be supported without qualification, as most of us believe, not lost in the fog of conflict over a single element, especially one so clearly defined and separable from the rest.
the categories need to be separated in debate, kept separate as long as there are such deeply felt differences and as long as the media continue to cloud even that contention with its drum beat of anti-trump invective,
women's health, including many of the medical services during pregnancy that are not strictly abortion procedures, needs to be supported without qualification, as most of us believe, not lost in the fog of conflict over a single element, especially one so clearly defined and separable from the rest.
2
About forty years of a woman's life are childbearing years. Yet, resources and health limit her ability to bear and raise children. The law or conventional wisdom indicates that parental responsibility ends at age eighteen. Nonsense. Love never ends and caring never ends. A woman should be free to try to select the timing of her four hundred possible pregnancies. Raising children is the most important job in the world. A woman should make this commitment freely and society should provide resources to to support her choice. The world does not have a shortage of people - three or four billion is enough already. The main thing is that children should get care and love.
4
The question needs to be asked as to how this issue even came to the attention of our current leader. I would venture to say Mike Pence is the man behind the curtain serving as the Grim Reaper with respect to women's health issues. My thanks to Nick Kristof for shining a light on another Trump presidency travesty.
3
Thank you Mr. Kristof. From a woman to a man, thank you. Societies do no change unless their dominant group is willing to support the calls for change of those groups they dominate. For better or worse this is still a very male dominate society and there for we, women, need more men like you, willing to rise your voices for ours. Thank you.
2
Mr. Kristof; Please let me (and others) know how I can pay for Fedline's education? The fallout of this health crisis goes well beyond the women who die of cancer, extending to their daughters and sons in so many ways. Thanks so much for bringing this to our attention.
4
The health care plan that was recently passed by the Republicans has not yet resulted in anyone who has lost their access the health insurance they had under Obamacare. Yet Kristoff places the blame on Trump for the fact that Betty Richardson of Tulsa lacked health insurance and so she put off going to the doctor for what turned out to be cervical cancer.
Even more bizarre is his accusation that even though the Trump plan will result in both men and women losing their health care which puts them at risk of dying from every disease there is, since cervical cancer is unique to women, therefore Trump's plan amounts to a war on women.
Kristoff then goes on to tell us about a woman in Haiti who got cervical cancer and that because she is ill she can no longer earn money washing clothes, she could no longer afford to pay tuition and that her daughter had to drop out of school as a result. And that since Trump has ordered that all funding be cut from organizations that provide screenings for cervical cancer, the fact that this woman didn't get screened before Trump was even elected is somehow still a result of "trump's war on women".
The point is that things have reached a point where any and all accusations against Trump are valid. Like the "fact" that Trump is waging a war against the lives of women, that he wants to see women die. That his policies in regard to women"cost more lives than in any other area of his governance". That is something that nobody seriously believes.
Even more bizarre is his accusation that even though the Trump plan will result in both men and women losing their health care which puts them at risk of dying from every disease there is, since cervical cancer is unique to women, therefore Trump's plan amounts to a war on women.
Kristoff then goes on to tell us about a woman in Haiti who got cervical cancer and that because she is ill she can no longer earn money washing clothes, she could no longer afford to pay tuition and that her daughter had to drop out of school as a result. And that since Trump has ordered that all funding be cut from organizations that provide screenings for cervical cancer, the fact that this woman didn't get screened before Trump was even elected is somehow still a result of "trump's war on women".
The point is that things have reached a point where any and all accusations against Trump are valid. Like the "fact" that Trump is waging a war against the lives of women, that he wants to see women die. That his policies in regard to women"cost more lives than in any other area of his governance". That is something that nobody seriously believes.
1
The global gag rule has been Republican policy since long before Donald Trump. Enacted during the Reagan administration, it was rescinded by Bill Clinton when he came into office. George W. Bush reinstated the rule as one of his first acts as president. It was rescinded again by Barack Obama. And now we see Mr. Trump reinstating the gag rule again and extending its reach. This is a cruel, discriminatory policy and as documented here has devastating effects on women and families throughout the world. Former President Bush could serve women's well-being and human rights in general by publically repudiating this policy and all that has flowed from it.
6
This should be front page news. Instead, we get headlines on the Trump scandal of the day to the point where we're numb.
I wish Trumps news coverage were on it's impacts on the every day lives of real people and not on his twitter feed and dining habits. Since he's so sensitive to public attention, that might make a real difference.
Thanks, Nicholas Kristoff, for taking women's lives seriously.
I wish Trumps news coverage were on it's impacts on the every day lives of real people and not on his twitter feed and dining habits. Since he's so sensitive to public attention, that might make a real difference.
Thanks, Nicholas Kristoff, for taking women's lives seriously.
4
There are few things more blasphemous than a politician dictating the will of God to people around the world. Evidently, experience has taught them that fear of a primary challenge is greater than fear of the Almighty.
Civic ignorance on the part of voters allows this charade to persist. We must fix that.
Civic ignorance on the part of voters allows this charade to persist. We must fix that.
4
I don't know how any American believes that they have "the best" medical system.
You overtreat those with money.
You undertreat those without money or decent insurance.
Overall, Americans pay at least 50% more than any other first world country for worse results. And Donald will make it even more marked.
You overtreat those with money.
You undertreat those without money or decent insurance.
Overall, Americans pay at least 50% more than any other first world country for worse results. And Donald will make it even more marked.
3
Thanks for writing this article. The best way to stop this outrageous behavior, and to support women, is to support democrats such as Ossoff in the special election, and to vote for democrats in 2018 and 2020. The GOP cannot behave badly if it can't get elected.
2
Thank you for writing about "women's" issues.
A pet peeve of mine is that when any legislation is passed that is helpful to women, only women are in the photo ops---furthering the impression that helpful legis. only affects women. This is unfortunate because 1) too many males still think women are marginal and 2) legis affects entire families and communities.
(Of course, when legis. is passed that harms women, is mostly men in the pictures).
Women have stood up for others' rights for years. It's time that others stand up for women.
A pet peeve of mine is that when any legislation is passed that is helpful to women, only women are in the photo ops---furthering the impression that helpful legis. only affects women. This is unfortunate because 1) too many males still think women are marginal and 2) legis affects entire families and communities.
(Of course, when legis. is passed that harms women, is mostly men in the pictures).
Women have stood up for others' rights for years. It's time that others stand up for women.
4
Thank you Mr Kristof for consistently pointing out that women are human. It shocks me that this is something that still constantly needs to be said.
Trump is the Trojan horse for those whose religion says women are inferior to men and to fetuses.
Trump is the Trojan horse for those whose religion says women are inferior to men and to fetuses.
3
In light of what Trump is doing to women directly or indirectly it is difficult to
call him a human being. In addition, his environmental policies will cause
hardship and death to hundreds of thousands of people in the years and
decades to come. I believe many people did not know what they were going to get when they voted for this person. They are certainly getting more than they
bargained for. I mean that more in a bad way than a good way.
call him a human being. In addition, his environmental policies will cause
hardship and death to hundreds of thousands of people in the years and
decades to come. I believe many people did not know what they were going to get when they voted for this person. They are certainly getting more than they
bargained for. I mean that more in a bad way than a good way.
3
Ah, yes, they call it "pro-life" when indeed, it is a death sentence for many. Nicholas Kristof says it well. Thank you.
2
We live in a country in which capitalism calls the shots before all else, with "the bottom line" as the defining (and profoundly limiting) lens. Republicans are most definitely not pro-life, they are pro-white male dominance. Fortunately, the natural progressive change in our majority demographics will change all that - hopefully it won't be too late. These days that's not a hyperbolic hope.
7
It is D.T and his Party. I wrote my Republican Senator (one is a Democrat) about the budget. He replied that he was unhappy with many items and blamed the Democrats. However, he was pleased to have additional money for the underfunded military. Let's remember we are talking about a military that has 10 operating aircraft carriers, one in reserve and 2 being constructed. The nations of the world which have aircraft carriers all claim one a piece. So, we fund the military industrial complex but defund women's health. The budget priorities for Republicans, of course, are based on being prolife. The hypocrisy screams - more bombs to blow up people and less funds to protect the health and well being of women. Trump and the GOP have no shame. There is no moral objection to removing aid. It is criminal and short sighted. Prevention and early diagnosis is much cheaper than intervention when a disease has gone to late stage categories.
When women's bodies are politicized, they are cheapened, too. The GOP has an agenda to write laws around women's bodies, and they feel emboldened to treat us as dispensible. Republicans' interest in women and life is forcing us to bear new life, not in protecting the lives in front of them.
Remember how freely Jeb! Bush complained about the cost of women's healthcare? His cavalier attitude reflected his party's, usurping our physical integrity as a platform.
Remember how freely Jeb! Bush complained about the cost of women's healthcare? His cavalier attitude reflected his party's, usurping our physical integrity as a platform.
Everything Trump is doing is pro-death, from his deregulation of environmental policy to his defunding of Planned Parenthood, to repealing the ACA and replacing with the AHCA, to cutting Meal on Wheels. I just do not get why the very people his policy's will hurt the most love the guy. It's beyond frustrating and very disturbing.
3
It's heartbreaking to see people die of a disease that is so easily treated. And for what reason? The sanctity of human life, apparently. "Pro-life" indeed.
3
The people who might persuade Donald Trump to stop the war against women's health are his base, but they will never do so because they never watch or listen to a news outlet that tells the truth. Trump's base needs to know the truth--about him and about the crisis in health care for everyone. My relatives who voted for him know nothing about the Access Hollywood tape or the great work done by Planned Parenthood. They know only what right-wing media wants them to know. My female Trump-loving relatives will suffer along with the rest of us when health care for women goes belly-up.
4
Trump is a liar - okay, we already know that! But, he promised on day one a less expensive health insurance plan with better coverage. What he has delivered is awful, even tragic legislation should the senate approve as written. And yes, women lose with the current health plan he and his party want. Planned Parenthood is no longer funded. Delivery of babies will cost women more because men will not be helping to pay for any gynecological health insurance. How can we get back to being a community that shares and looks after each other with Trump and his GOP only thinking about themselves - which means cutting taxes, sharing less, and hurting more individuals and families? It is ruthless policy, demanding to half our population. But let's be clear as the 2018 elections approach, it isn't Trump alone. He has the backing of far too many Republicans and unless they are removed from office we will face more brutal legislation attacking the well being of women and children rather than providing preventive and affordable health care.
4
This is perhaps the most incredible false narrative so far in this health debate. At some point people must take responsibility for their own healthcare. and that includes women.
A pap smear costs anywhere from $50 to $200, without a 3rd party pay, it is much lower. Depends on you priorities, doesn't it?
PP does provide pap smears free of charge, but so do county health clinics that greatly outnumber PP, but do not perform abortions.
A pap smear costs anywhere from $50 to $200, without a 3rd party pay, it is much lower. Depends on you priorities, doesn't it?
PP does provide pap smears free of charge, but so do county health clinics that greatly outnumber PP, but do not perform abortions.
2
We miss the point if we think what is happening in the country with regard to the continuous and often vile assault on women and their right to exist as autonomous human beings is all about Trump. It's not. Look at Pence a man who won't be in a room alone with a woman not his wife. He's so afraid of a loss of control that he would not work on his control but ban woman from his presence. It's not him it's her! That mind set has wide consequences. His colleagues treat women as targets to prove their power...women don't deserve health care unless they pass a purity test. They don't have the same right to health care as men and certainly don't have a right to make their own decisions about their bodies.
It's not just Trump, it's Pence, and Ryan and the rest.
It's not just Trump, it's Pence, and Ryan and the rest.
6
It saddens and enrages me that healthcare for the most vulnerable women is being undermined and in most cases outright denied because someone might mention the word abortion. As the author pointed out in his previous article about women in Haiti, just because you don't mention it doesn't mean it won't happen.
I also find it hard to reconcile "pro-life" with condemning millions of living, breathing, sentient women to horrible deaths based on a possibility that might never happen.
I also find it hard to reconcile "pro-life" with condemning millions of living, breathing, sentient women to horrible deaths based on a possibility that might never happen.
2
Yes what is being done is appalling, but it's not enough to simply excoriate Trump. He is responding to the "fervent" demands of his voters. While we remain a democracy, we cannot place all of the blame on those we elect--we are coconspirators!
2
Thank you for this excellent column Mr. Kristof. But a word about words. You are correct to call Trump’s policies “pro-death.” Let’s not forget, however, that he was elected thanks to the votes of millions of people who call themselves “pro-life.” These “anti-choice” voters and their movement hijacked the term “pro-life,” which, sadly, many journalists and others still use. These people are not pro-life. By cutting off funding (via Trump) to organizations like Planned Parenthood, the U.N. Population fund, and Marie Stopes they contribute to thousands of unnecessary deaths. So let’s all agree. From now on we should boldly all refer to the American anti-abortion movement as “pro-death.”
6
I mean no harm, what-so-ever, Mr. Kristof, but this column was far too long to keep the attention of TRUMP or any of his followers. The GOP at large is full of Social Darwinians crossed with Prosperity Theologians. But the core TRUMPistas are quite obviously too simplistic to even know where Haiti is, let alone care about them.
3
And your comment is why many Trump voters do not regret voting for Trump. I know where Haiti is. I also wonder why a girl can't go to school for lack of fees and mom can't get health care after the enormous amount of money steered there by Bill Clinton and the foundation. But, somehow, a lot of their donors made large amounts of money "helping" Haiti.
2
Sorry. I shouldn't throw all TRUMP voters into the same basket. But TRUMP is pure evil. I've never seen anything like it. I've never seen so many people hypnotized by it. No doubt most other politicians are corrupt and self-serving, but TRUMP is beyond all belief.
I'm sorry you voted for him.
I'm sorry you voted for him.
I'm afraid that Pence & Ryan (and probably others) would do the same thing. Poor women don't contribute to their election campaigns. Poor stupid men engage in constant warfare with weapons purchased from contractors who do support politicians.
Thank you so very much for this painful and beautiful column. It is not only Trump who wants to cut funding for women. It's almost all of the republican congress. It has been for the many past years. Look at Paul Ryan: he wants to cut funding for poor people, for the old, for the sick, for the needy. 92.8% of congress are Christians. They live their lives against the teachings of Jesus, their Son of God......what kind of people are they. Why aren't church leaders, all over the country, speaking out against them. Why?
5
People like Trump do not see women as full human beings who should have autonomy over their bodies and access to care that ensures the best health possible. They see women as the Other. Something lesser and something to control. They refuse to shake the hands of the likes of Angela Merkel while praising Putin. Its not a sustainable philosophy.
5
The most dangerous politicians are those who have no comprehension of the repercussions of their actions.
As medical research has provided a pragmatic and very low cost diagnosis and cure for those who become disabled from this terminal disease that can be administered by lay people, it is a cardinal sin to deny this life saving protocol to those in developing countries.
It is critical for this problem to gain the highest awareness. This can be corrected if everyone who reads this piece send it to his/her Congressional representatives and to the editor of your local newspaper.
Then ask three of your friends to do likewise.
This is a simple problem to overcome; it only requires calling the attention of those in Congress to this simple to correct lethal problem.
As medical research has provided a pragmatic and very low cost diagnosis and cure for those who become disabled from this terminal disease that can be administered by lay people, it is a cardinal sin to deny this life saving protocol to those in developing countries.
It is critical for this problem to gain the highest awareness. This can be corrected if everyone who reads this piece send it to his/her Congressional representatives and to the editor of your local newspaper.
Then ask three of your friends to do likewise.
This is a simple problem to overcome; it only requires calling the attention of those in Congress to this simple to correct lethal problem.
2
And at whatever date Donald Trump is no longer in a position to continue his "war on women" from the White House, Mike Pence and so many other GOP legislators are positively champing at the bit to take on the cause of keeping the world's women barefoot and pregnant and possibly "dead" from preventable cancers.
In March when GOP senator from Kansas, Pat Roberts, joked sarcastically that "I sure don't want my mammogram benefits taken away," I wonder that he didn't also add that he didn't need healthcare benefits for "his cervix" either, or any other of women's "reproductive bits." Women's reproductive health is of absolutely no concern to the GOP. The GOP congress is dangerous, it is misogynist, and it is a disgrace.
In March when GOP senator from Kansas, Pat Roberts, joked sarcastically that "I sure don't want my mammogram benefits taken away," I wonder that he didn't also add that he didn't need healthcare benefits for "his cervix" either, or any other of women's "reproductive bits." Women's reproductive health is of absolutely no concern to the GOP. The GOP congress is dangerous, it is misogynist, and it is a disgrace.
4
I would like to point out Trump is not the only one guilty of this. Pence, Ryan, McConnell and the rest of the Republicans are all complicit. Over time far many more lives will be lost to cervical and other forms of gynecological cancer, starvation, and lack of comprehensive preventive health care all over the world, including the US. Where is the outrage over this? Where is the "Right to Life" movement on these issues? The hypocrisy is rampant on this issue as well as many others. What will happen to the funds they cut with elimination of support for Planned Parenthood, Foreign Aid, Block Grants for things like Meals on Wheels, etc, etc? Gotta make sure the rich get their fair share, now don't we?
5
The liberals keep saying that there is a war on women since the Trump presidency and this is sheer nonsense. I am a woman who voted for Trump and there are many more just like me. He won over 53 percent of the women's vote. Do you honestly think we would have voted for an administration that was against us. Absolutely not. This is ludicrous.
2
Yes, I do, because the rest of your ideology (whatever that is - racism? love for the 1%? Not caring about having a president that lies almost continually?) allowed you to ignore those things. He openly admitted to committing sexual assault. He praised and is pushing a healthcare bill which gives states the ability to cut maternity care from women, deeming it nonessential. This is the same bill which allows states to to not cover people with preexisting conditions. This hurts not just the most vulnerable people in our society, most of whom are women, but also the middle class. He is not for raising the minimum wage, which also mostly benefits women. I could go on, but I won't because I suspect you won't listen or don't care about anyone except yourself anyway. I just hope you never find yourself in a vulnerable position where you have to rely on any of those things.
5
He didn't win "over 53 percent of the women's vote" ! CLINTON won 54% of the women's vote. Trump won WHITE women by 53%.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/11/09/behind-trumps-victory-di...
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/clinton-couldnt-win-over-white-women/
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/11/09/behind-trumps-victory-di...
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/clinton-couldnt-win-over-white-women/
1
It's annoying, not only that Trump and other Republicans are willing to throw women's lives away to curry favor with the religious right, but also that American women must rely on such charity organisations for necessary health screenings.
8
"This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. To his great credit, George W. Bush has made cervical cancer an important thread of his post-presidency, calling for funding and bringing much-needed visibility to the issue."
How is it that America has become so grotesquely divided and ideological that today we have leading Christian figures extolling the virtues of a man who has a lifelong history of philandering, dishonesty, misogyny and elitism while simultaneously denouncing our former president, who exemplifies what it means to be a loving, caring Christian? Is there no way to see through our partisan filters?
I am still totally mystified when I see folks who are otherwise devout, caring Christians, yet who back the policies described herein - policies that result in needless suffering and death to tens of thousands of women worldwide. I agree that abortion is horrible, and I long for the day when they are "safe, legal and extremely rare." But abortion is not the greatest evil on earth - there are many other evils facing us, and we need to broaden our horizons a bit.
Many leaders of modern evangelicalism are more and more resembling the religious leaders of Jesus' day, shouting en masse, "Crucify him!!"
How is it that America has become so grotesquely divided and ideological that today we have leading Christian figures extolling the virtues of a man who has a lifelong history of philandering, dishonesty, misogyny and elitism while simultaneously denouncing our former president, who exemplifies what it means to be a loving, caring Christian? Is there no way to see through our partisan filters?
I am still totally mystified when I see folks who are otherwise devout, caring Christians, yet who back the policies described herein - policies that result in needless suffering and death to tens of thousands of women worldwide. I agree that abortion is horrible, and I long for the day when they are "safe, legal and extremely rare." But abortion is not the greatest evil on earth - there are many other evils facing us, and we need to broaden our horizons a bit.
Many leaders of modern evangelicalism are more and more resembling the religious leaders of Jesus' day, shouting en masse, "Crucify him!!"
6
Gag rules, phooey! In actuality, our anointed legislators are deciding that their own teenagers will get advice about birth control and abortion only from other teenagers. That is what happens now and what has happened since the world began. Only here in America do we not need informed decision making. We don't need no doctors and nurses who might actually know a complete body of facts. Yeah--teen agers can be counted upon to speak with fact-free authority and dependable decision-making advice.
Gag rules for health professionals are disgusting. That's like saying that politicians who may have broken a law are forbidden from talking to a lawyer. They would never endorse a barrier between themselves and accurate, informed information would they?
Gag rules for health professionals are disgusting. That's like saying that politicians who may have broken a law are forbidden from talking to a lawyer. They would never endorse a barrier between themselves and accurate, informed information would they?
4
Trump views women as objects, things to be used and discarded on a whim. Add in that he cares for no one but himself, none of his actions towards women's health problems should be surprising to anyone.
4
Kristof - as always, thank you. And agree totally
But explain to me how the majority of white women voters picked Trump?
If Trump had received even just 49% of white women's vote we wouldn't be talking about this.
But explain to me how the majority of white women voters picked Trump?
If Trump had received even just 49% of white women's vote we wouldn't be talking about this.
2
Planned Parenthood provides about 1/3 of all US abortions. It receives $500 million per year in donations, much of which is spent on abortion advertising. Women's health services are at least as important as the abortion services provided by PP. Those who are opposed to abortion oppose PP, but favor funding women's health services. They have a dilemma because PP is a mixed bag to them. I find it hard to argue with that.
3
Abortion is not funded by tax dollars, so what are the forced-birthers complaining about?
6
Reading these stories about Republican attacks on women's health and health care decisions, I can't help but wonder - what is about powerful men that drives them to harm the most vulnerable women, especially at the most vulnerable times in their lives. And not just to harm them (us), but to inflict harm with such gusto! It's a cruelty beyond my comprehension.
8
Destroying the lives of others so the rich elite can get another tax cut -- that's the quintessential right-wing 'family value.'
8
How tragically ironic that the self proclaimed "family values" party works against families at home and across the world with every legislative action they seek. From tax cuts to vouchers to meals on wheels to the way we fund healthcare - America sure is leading the way in dooming women and babies to premature death and a life full of hardships and unrealized potential. America is First (in the developed world) in infant and maternal mortality - the NYT article last week on this was tragic. Now Trump wants to spread that heartless brand of conservatism overseas. IT's enough to make this liberal, pro-choice, pro-family, pro-paying more taxes to pay for all my "family values" agenda "coastal elite" sick. It's time to start calling these purveyors of death and illness what they are - murderers and inhumane monsters. Stop letting them use their double speak of "pro-life" and "Christian" - Jesus would be horrified by these people - it is everything he devoted his life to stopping.
6
Men last out in their desperate need to feel superior, to feel in control, and to feel dominant. Women suffer the devastating effects.
6
This is what many Christians think God wants. Real Christians need to send missionaries to them.
83
It is too sad to read what happened to the two young woman in your article and most certainly to many many more after the US-administration stopped the support to organizations which could have helped them survive.
They may help babies to get born but they are killing mothers. To sad that this is happening in the US, where most of the world's billionairs are living. What will these rich people do to provide the poor and the sick with just the most fundamental health care?
Yes, Bravo to the Netherlands, Canada, Sweden and other countries for providing more money for women’s health to try to make up for what Trump is doing. In many European states, the story Nicholas is telling just cannot happen, as the most of us enjoy an affordable health insurance covering almost everything that is needed to medically treat people. This, for example, even extends to the more than one million migrants we take care of in Germany. About 26 billion Dollars of German taxpayers' money are spent for social and health services for migrants each year. How many dollars of the billions the richest American made by selling deadly weapons to Saudi Arabia today will used to help the poor and sick people dying?
They may help babies to get born but they are killing mothers. To sad that this is happening in the US, where most of the world's billionairs are living. What will these rich people do to provide the poor and the sick with just the most fundamental health care?
Yes, Bravo to the Netherlands, Canada, Sweden and other countries for providing more money for women’s health to try to make up for what Trump is doing. In many European states, the story Nicholas is telling just cannot happen, as the most of us enjoy an affordable health insurance covering almost everything that is needed to medically treat people. This, for example, even extends to the more than one million migrants we take care of in Germany. About 26 billion Dollars of German taxpayers' money are spent for social and health services for migrants each year. How many dollars of the billions the richest American made by selling deadly weapons to Saudi Arabia today will used to help the poor and sick people dying?
184
Come again, wiederkommen? Germany does not fund contraceptives, limits abortions to 20 something weeks, mandates counseling and a waiting period post-counseling. Now go crank-up your diesel engine, hit the autobahn for a spin, and think about that. Bah.
There are no words to convey the venality of Trump's decision. My anger, as a woman is enormous, but as a thinking human, I dread the surge in population that will result in too many mouths to feed. Donald Trump and his allies are not pro-life, they are pro-birth. They deny science, they deny humanity, they deny life.
277
They even deny death.
1
so true, these goons in the white house are not pro-life, they are "pro paternal control" no matter what the outcome may be. It's similar to "I shot her dead 'cause she was talking trash to me". Or locking an "emotional/hysterical" wife or daughter in the attic. Women don't deserve health care because they are evil temptresses at heart! "Lock her up", they chanted, gleefully. We'll all be locked up and locked into a society with only disdain for women.
2
We are going backward in the marginalization since Mr. Trump's election. He seems to believe that money is not needed for social and health services in this country and others. He'd rather give it to the rich in tax reductions than save ordinary lives.
That means, according to this article, that a woman's life is not worth $3, the cost of the vinegar test.
As a woman, I know I'm worth far more. I'm the one who has worked in my community to help people get health care from infancy to adulthood and old age. I'm the one who helped start a shelter home for teenagers at risk. I'm the one who developed and managed addiction/mental health treatment centers for addicts and alcoholics. I'm the one who is still working to make sure everyone can vote in each election. I'm the one who still writes about the dearth of mental health facilities in my community, urging politicians and others to provide them.
I'm not the only one, of course. Millions of women every day are working to make America a better place and millions of women elsewhere are working to make their countries better too.
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump ignores our needs, as he has ignored the needs of infants, children and the elderly. We deserve better!
That means, according to this article, that a woman's life is not worth $3, the cost of the vinegar test.
As a woman, I know I'm worth far more. I'm the one who has worked in my community to help people get health care from infancy to adulthood and old age. I'm the one who helped start a shelter home for teenagers at risk. I'm the one who developed and managed addiction/mental health treatment centers for addicts and alcoholics. I'm the one who is still working to make sure everyone can vote in each election. I'm the one who still writes about the dearth of mental health facilities in my community, urging politicians and others to provide them.
I'm not the only one, of course. Millions of women every day are working to make America a better place and millions of women elsewhere are working to make their countries better too.
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump ignores our needs, as he has ignored the needs of infants, children and the elderly. We deserve better!
189
ALL women deserve better, not just the ones who support various causes.
2
Thank you Nick for bringing this out so that people who don't realize the seriousness of this whole rush to push through a health care bill that can only damage the lives of so many, here at home and, as you point out, women of the world. I don't know how many are aware of the disasters that will occur should the proposed 'American" health care bill (anything but American in my view) pass the Senate. This column, as many of your columns, is so important in educating many and hopefully realization will set in and civic action can help to cease some of the craziness going on in the White House. I am 81 and these are the saddest, most heart wrenching times I can remember in our country and that's saying a lot since I have lived through a lot. I beg others to nag your congress representatives and senators to do the right thing to secure our human rights here at home and around the world. No excuse to let this stuff slide, these people work for us, push them to do their job.
128
I doubt the AHCA has the chance of passage of a snowball in Hades...but if it DID pass....it would be the greatest gift in history.
WHY? it would FINALLY make people ANGRY ENOUGH to get out of their armchairs and off their fannies.
4 million women marched in Washington DC on January 21st....to protest Trump's inauguration.
Imagine instead, if they had marched for UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.
WHY? it would FINALLY make people ANGRY ENOUGH to get out of their armchairs and off their fannies.
4 million women marched in Washington DC on January 21st....to protest Trump's inauguration.
Imagine instead, if they had marched for UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.
Thanks for writing this story, Nicholas. Hurray for men standing up for women. For me, the President of the United States has declared war. Not against a N Korea or Iran. He has declared war on women. I am more determined than ever to be a political activist to stop the devastation. To create a caring world & government.
214
I am a nurse and worked in the US and Canada for many years. I saw plenty of women in the US with advanced cervical cancer. In Canada it was almost non-existent. I'm not joking, I never saw it. In the US I worked in cancer care and after seeing a few of these relatively young women die, I realized it was a lack of care. It was an extremely painful process and the pain was difficult to treat. If you still have women dying of advanced cervical cancer than everyone should be sad. What other diseases are people dying from? Diseases cannot be divided by sex. That's ridiculous.
287
Janice Burns: can you give some verification or statistics that prove cervical cancer is unknown in Canada? I find that pretty incredible and hard to believe.
Otherwise..."anecdotes (even from nurses) are not the plural of data".
Otherwise..."anecdotes (even from nurses) are not the plural of data".
1
Here in the U.S. We have Idaho Republican Rep. Raul Labrador recently saying " Nobody dies because they don't have access to health care."
3
Nicholas, by the time that girls have become women, it's too late to start to try to protect women properly against cervical cancer.
HPV vaccination, not screening, is the essential first step. Screening comes later. HPV vaccination needs to be carried out not in women but in girls aged nine and over, thus:
'The primary target group in most of the countries recommending HPV vaccination is young adolescent girls, aged 9-14. For both HPV vaccines, the vaccination schedule depends on the age of the vaccine recipient.'
http://www.who.int/immunization/diseases/hpv/en/
HPV vaccination is necessary but insufficient. Screening for the presence of cervical warts remains essential in women who have been vaccinated aged twenty-five and older. If they haven't been vaccinated, and if there is no widely adopted, country wide, HPV vaccination program in place, then arguably the screening still needs to start younger — at eighteen or (in some cultures) possibly even younger.
Screening alone, however, can only go so far. It is essential that all girls are vaccinated against the quadrivalent HPV vaccine that protects against the four main HPVs (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) linked to cervical cancer, and for which there are currently effective vaccines.
HPV vaccination, not screening, is the essential first step. Screening comes later. HPV vaccination needs to be carried out not in women but in girls aged nine and over, thus:
'The primary target group in most of the countries recommending HPV vaccination is young adolescent girls, aged 9-14. For both HPV vaccines, the vaccination schedule depends on the age of the vaccine recipient.'
http://www.who.int/immunization/diseases/hpv/en/
HPV vaccination is necessary but insufficient. Screening for the presence of cervical warts remains essential in women who have been vaccinated aged twenty-five and older. If they haven't been vaccinated, and if there is no widely adopted, country wide, HPV vaccination program in place, then arguably the screening still needs to start younger — at eighteen or (in some cultures) possibly even younger.
Screening alone, however, can only go so far. It is essential that all girls are vaccinated against the quadrivalent HPV vaccine that protects against the four main HPVs (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) linked to cervical cancer, and for which there are currently effective vaccines.
100
I realize this is about global women's health, but it is important to remember that men also have a role. Women do suffer most from this virus, and so benefit from vaccinations. However, this is often sexually transmitted, and men can suffer as well. That is why, the CDC Advisory Council on Immunization Practices((ACIP) recommends both males and females receive the same vaccinations.
"ACIP recommends routine HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12 years. Vaccination can be given starting at age 9 years. ACIP also recommends vaccination for females through age 26 years and for males through age 21 years who were not adequately vaccinated previously. Males aged 22 through 26 years may be vaccinated. (See also: Special populations, Medical conditions)".
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6549a5.htm
This does seem different from the WHO guidelines.
"ACIP recommends routine HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12 years. Vaccination can be given starting at age 9 years. ACIP also recommends vaccination for females through age 26 years and for males through age 21 years who were not adequately vaccinated previously. Males aged 22 through 26 years may be vaccinated. (See also: Special populations, Medical conditions)".
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6549a5.htm
This does seem different from the WHO guidelines.
2
Colenso:
And check out the cost of the HPV vaccination. It is more than $3.00. In the United States some insurance companies pay for the cost and many don't as it is not a school required vaccine.
And the goofy religious right parents often refuse the vaccines for their children "because it will make my daughter promiscuous" or my daughter is a good girl and is not going to have sex until she is married". And those same parents don't want their tax dollars spent on a disease that is caused by "promiscuity".
Look at the number of kids that have NOT been vaccinated.
Sad, very sad.
And check out the cost of the HPV vaccination. It is more than $3.00. In the United States some insurance companies pay for the cost and many don't as it is not a school required vaccine.
And the goofy religious right parents often refuse the vaccines for their children "because it will make my daughter promiscuous" or my daughter is a good girl and is not going to have sex until she is married". And those same parents don't want their tax dollars spent on a disease that is caused by "promiscuity".
Look at the number of kids that have NOT been vaccinated.
Sad, very sad.
6
... vaccinated with the quadrivalent HPV vaccine ...
Thanks for the informative article. I wish more people who claim they are pro-life would read this!!
86
Janet, these so-called prolife people are only concerned about fertilized eggs.
They don't really care about living, breathing human beings.
They don't really care about living, breathing human beings.
5
This column might better have been written in the years of the previous president as the problems were there then as now. Additionally any one on the well-define 1% could resolve the situation individually as well as several prior president, especially how singularly wonderful were they to work together.
5
Yes, perhaps some of those billionaires who have taken Buffet's/Gate's "Giving Pledge" would donate generously to solving this scourge once and for all. Well and good to say you're going to give away most of your fortune, but putting it into some family foundation that doles out charity according to your interests to avoid taxes and actually contributing to areas where the money is needed most are two different things.
3
It is amazing that there are people who assert that they care about women, but will not treat women unless they have the option of providing an abortion. Funding has only been removed from organizations that prioritize abortion over Women's health.
Is the objective of progressive's women's health policy to help women or to reduce population growth?
Is the objective of progressive's women's health policy to help women or to reduce population growth?
7
IS the objective of women's health care to help women?
To increase the health and well being of women during their reproductive years?
To allow women to access health care and make decisions as an adult?
Or to be so sanctimonious that you would impose limits what type of care a woman can access based on YOUR religious principles, not HERS?
It is HER moral and ethical outlook that counts in the course of her life, as it is YOURS in yours.
To increase the health and well being of women during their reproductive years?
To allow women to access health care and make decisions as an adult?
Or to be so sanctimonious that you would impose limits what type of care a woman can access based on YOUR religious principles, not HERS?
It is HER moral and ethical outlook that counts in the course of her life, as it is YOURS in yours.
134
Nonsense. Health care providers do not prioritize abortion over women's health; only antiabortion extremists do that. Women's ability to control their fertility and limit family size is directly correlated with their health and well being.
11
You have that backwards. If you really "care" about women and women's health, then you don't block all funding over one procedure- and a procedure that is performed less frequently than these cervical screenings. It's clear you're the side that is "prioritizing abortion over Women's health."
13
Planned Parenthood can stop performing abortions which occur 324,000 times a year or risk be defunded by the government. It is their choice and theirs alone to make. That money could be given to community health centers where cervical cancer screenings are performed and would allow them to increase the number drastically. They are an excellent source of healthcare for women and are highly successful in treating women for all sorts of health issues. In addition to performing Pap smears they also allow women to go to have their mammograms at the same facility. The women are treated with the utmost respect by a compassionate and caring staff. They provide all services and are affordable and can be found throughout the country.
6
Those community health centers do not exist, but Planned Parenthood does, and has been working steadily in communities for decades and decades, serving women and girls who cannot access health care otherwise.
You would have your religious convictions stand in the way of others who need heath care, because you personally don't approve of abortion.
What should someone outside your faith group have their care circumscribed by a faith they do not follow and may not agree with? You are not affected by another;s decision to carry a fetus to term or not. But you affect others whose lives you do not know, whose lives you will never touch, and whom you will not ever help.
Why should you have so much control over another?
You would have your religious convictions stand in the way of others who need heath care, because you personally don't approve of abortion.
What should someone outside your faith group have their care circumscribed by a faith they do not follow and may not agree with? You are not affected by another;s decision to carry a fetus to term or not. But you affect others whose lives you do not know, whose lives you will never touch, and whom you will not ever help.
Why should you have so much control over another?
207
By providing a legal medical procedure that SCOTUS says women have a constitutional right to, Planned Parenthood is giving women a choice they should have. Limiting women's reproductive rights is misogynistic. No tax money is used for abortion in Planned Parenthood.
31
Abortion is a legal procedure and the majority of Americans are in favor of keeping it that way. Planned Parenthood does not expend government funds on abortion. If the answer is the 'community centers' you speak of, why weren't they established and funded in the past? We not only have high rates of cervical cancer, but of maternal and infant mortality as well compared to other countries. The war on women is heating up again under this administration.
22
Mr. Kristof, This important message about interventions such as the vinegar test demonstrates that they provide an obvious benefit that would be cost-effective at saving women from cancer.
Who could be opposed to this? Only someone obsessed with a "win" for himself with no concern for others.
When people are in need, and they are helped by American aid, they may never forget it. If our tax dollars can be used to prevent cancer in young women raising successful young children, a tiny investment can have massive downstream, positive effects.
Let's do good in the world! We cancel support for the U.N. Population Fund at our own peril and at the peril of the poorest women in the world.
Who could be opposed to this? Only someone obsessed with a "win" for himself with no concern for others.
When people are in need, and they are helped by American aid, they may never forget it. If our tax dollars can be used to prevent cancer in young women raising successful young children, a tiny investment can have massive downstream, positive effects.
Let's do good in the world! We cancel support for the U.N. Population Fund at our own peril and at the peril of the poorest women in the world.
113
Trump's "War on Women" is not a war, it is an extension of a third world belief that women should not be heard, or have individual rights.
Hillary lost bay a high percentage among those while working men. Fundamentalist religion treats them li chattel. Conservative Jew make them sit separately in the Shoul. Catholicism does not allow them to become priests. Even professional women like lawyers are paid less than men.
Republicans are a leftover cult that regards women as second class citizens. That they would deny women access to a health clinic because i may have something to do with abortion, shows us, they are mentally ill. A cult that ties women's personal medical decisions to politics is dishonorable and despicable. From what I read and hear they should have been aborted before they could infect society. They are still addicted to 15th century thinking,they are immoral, authoritarian, and treat women with disrespect. Just consider one of their heroes, Roger Alies and what he was.
What is difficult to understand is the women who accept this kind of treatment, the wive and daughters of these men,it has to come from a lifetime of subjugation. However, women are moving up in the ranks, these medieval men are losing their power, and they know it.
We watch them squirm and evade reality. One classic symptom is a permanent state of anger. Republicans only smile when they have made someone else miserable.
Hillary lost bay a high percentage among those while working men. Fundamentalist religion treats them li chattel. Conservative Jew make them sit separately in the Shoul. Catholicism does not allow them to become priests. Even professional women like lawyers are paid less than men.
Republicans are a leftover cult that regards women as second class citizens. That they would deny women access to a health clinic because i may have something to do with abortion, shows us, they are mentally ill. A cult that ties women's personal medical decisions to politics is dishonorable and despicable. From what I read and hear they should have been aborted before they could infect society. They are still addicted to 15th century thinking,they are immoral, authoritarian, and treat women with disrespect. Just consider one of their heroes, Roger Alies and what he was.
What is difficult to understand is the women who accept this kind of treatment, the wive and daughters of these men,it has to come from a lifetime of subjugation. However, women are moving up in the ranks, these medieval men are losing their power, and they know it.
We watch them squirm and evade reality. One classic symptom is a permanent state of anger. Republicans only smile when they have made someone else miserable.
126
Actually, David, it's Orthodox Judaism that has sepate seating. However, even in Orthodox Judaism that promotes life, the question of birth control is in the hand s of the woman in a variety of ways.
6
@B. Rothman
What do you call Lubavitchers?
And as I remember even the conservative Temple on MacArthur Blvd. in Oakland has separate seating for the women.
What do you call Lubavitchers?
And as I remember even the conservative Temple on MacArthur Blvd. in Oakland has separate seating for the women.
1
This vinegar test is a thing worth doing, by any measure.
Why is it up to the US to do it all over the world? We can. But why us? If nobody else will then we should, but why isn't this being done unless we do?
So yes, we should do it. But there is a bigger problem here, and a lot more tests and help to which to apply the lesson. We can't do it all.
We don't even do it all for our own people. That gets to the heart of it. Health care is not a priority, not to too many in our government, and not to too many in many other places either.
We have even Democrats accepting the unacceptable, triangulating, compromising on life and death of innocents. Stand up. Stand up on the principle, not just on partisan attack while compromising principle.
We could lead by example. Light unto the world, City on A Hill. But we don't. Just the opposite, we highlight neglect.
Even our "best" candidate said we really couldn't do all that much more, it was not affordable for us to do what every other advanced country in the world does.
Aim higher. THAT is what we must fix.
Why is it up to the US to do it all over the world? We can. But why us? If nobody else will then we should, but why isn't this being done unless we do?
So yes, we should do it. But there is a bigger problem here, and a lot more tests and help to which to apply the lesson. We can't do it all.
We don't even do it all for our own people. That gets to the heart of it. Health care is not a priority, not to too many in our government, and not to too many in many other places either.
We have even Democrats accepting the unacceptable, triangulating, compromising on life and death of innocents. Stand up. Stand up on the principle, not just on partisan attack while compromising principle.
We could lead by example. Light unto the world, City on A Hill. But we don't. Just the opposite, we highlight neglect.
Even our "best" candidate said we really couldn't do all that much more, it was not affordable for us to do what every other advanced country in the world does.
Aim higher. THAT is what we must fix.
22
I'll assume that "our "best" candidate" refers to Hillary Clinton because she was the best candidate!!! What I've read about her proposals, is a far cry from "we really couldn't do all that much more". It is a bigger shame for our country every day that such a qualified woman was misrepresented and that what she hoped to do is still not acknowledged.
Here is one excerpt from a comprehensive outline of what Sec. Clinton wanted:
"Third, consistent with her previous proposals on public options, Hillary will pursue efforts to give Americans in every state in the country the choice of a public-option insurance plan, and to expand Medicare by allowing people 55 years or older to opt in while protecting the traditional Medicare program."
There is much more at: https://www.hillaryclinton.com/briefing/factsheets/2016/07/09/hillary-cl...
Here is one excerpt from a comprehensive outline of what Sec. Clinton wanted:
"Third, consistent with her previous proposals on public options, Hillary will pursue efforts to give Americans in every state in the country the choice of a public-option insurance plan, and to expand Medicare by allowing people 55 years or older to opt in while protecting the traditional Medicare program."
There is much more at: https://www.hillaryclinton.com/briefing/factsheets/2016/07/09/hillary-cl...
92
Oh, please, stop telling yourself that the U.S. is doing it "all by themselves." The article mentions several European countries involved in the global effort to help women. The U.S. isn't doing it for itself, nor helping internationally anymore, in step with what American patriotism actually means today, "I got mine, I don't care about yours."
6
We aren't the only ones who do it. Obviously we don't do it here or we wouldn't have such an appalling rate of cervical cancer deaths. And no it isn't be cause we can't afford the screenings. As a nation we just don't care.
7
A few years ago, Howard Stern asked Trump if he would stay with his wife if she were in a car wreck and was now hideously deformed. Trump replied, "Are her breasts all right? Breasts are important."
We should realize by now that Trump only cares about women if he can grope, assault, or stare at them while they're naked. He doesn't care if they have healthcare. He doesn't care if they have maternity leave. He doesn't care if they live or die.
He doesn't care about a woman in Haiti. She's too far away to grope.
We should realize by now that Trump only cares about women if he can grope, assault, or stare at them while they're naked. He doesn't care if they have healthcare. He doesn't care if they have maternity leave. He doesn't care if they live or die.
He doesn't care about a woman in Haiti. She's too far away to grope.
466
If women's breasts are paramount in djt's limited valuation of women. has anyone asked him why he is limiting women's access to healthcare that might adversely affect this physical attribute?
Good comment Linda. The exchange with Stern once again illustrates the small intellect of djt. With each new anecdote revealed, I despise him more.
Good comment Linda. The exchange with Stern once again illustrates the small intellect of djt. With each new anecdote revealed, I despise him more.
137
Very true.
But this highlights the culpability of women bringing this situation upon themselves. I can never understand why the majority of female voters cast their ballots for Trump.
But this highlights the culpability of women bringing this situation upon themselves. I can never understand why the majority of female voters cast their ballots for Trump.
5
I *knew* that the propagandistic point of this was to bash Trump. You cant fathom for ONE SECOND that Trump was JOKING can you. Anything to further bash the President. Good thing Trump is a STRONG man and ignores such nonsense. He got elected in spite of people like you...and if the truth must be told....its the DISLIKE of people like YOU that keeps Trump's political power base strong. And when I say people like you...i mean PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO MANIPULATE situations like this where he was OBVIOUSLY JOKING, yet you want to say that he does not care if women live or DIE. As if he didnt have a mother, sister and daughter. So as long as there are manipulators like you...Trump has my (and many more HONEST people's) vote. and IM independent..not Republican
1
"At home, Trump is undermining the fight against cervical cancer by seeking to defund Planned Parenthood, which performs some 270,000 cervical cancer screenings annually."
The fact that Planned Parenthood has to make up for the lack of good healthcare--universal healthcare--in this country is outrageous to begin with, without a conviction-less man like Donald Trump to make it worse.
I don't think Trump cares one way or the other, but some in his cabinet do and many in his base do, so it's a cheap way to buy support from his evangelical base. It costs him nothing but the lives of those "others' who can't do anything to help him anyway.
The counter-productivity of our insane healthcare system and the ugliness of religious zealots are taking the lives of poor women back to the middle ages. PP receives no federal funds for abortions, so further reducing funds for the vital healthcare tests and services given to poor women is a mean-spirited way to punish them.
I agree, this shouldn't be a partisan issue. Thanks, Nicholas, for having the courage to speak out about the incongruity of the pro-life crowd increasing the likelihood that poor women, both at home and abroad, will die from totally preventable cervical cancers.
The fact that Planned Parenthood has to make up for the lack of good healthcare--universal healthcare--in this country is outrageous to begin with, without a conviction-less man like Donald Trump to make it worse.
I don't think Trump cares one way or the other, but some in his cabinet do and many in his base do, so it's a cheap way to buy support from his evangelical base. It costs him nothing but the lives of those "others' who can't do anything to help him anyway.
The counter-productivity of our insane healthcare system and the ugliness of religious zealots are taking the lives of poor women back to the middle ages. PP receives no federal funds for abortions, so further reducing funds for the vital healthcare tests and services given to poor women is a mean-spirited way to punish them.
I agree, this shouldn't be a partisan issue. Thanks, Nicholas, for having the courage to speak out about the incongruity of the pro-life crowd increasing the likelihood that poor women, both at home and abroad, will die from totally preventable cervical cancers.
374
Ok...I have a solution.
You look like you are a nurse..(lets pretend you are) Since you believe in Free healthcare. Then go and find a spot, and pay the rent there and give women FREE TREATMENT. Lets see whether you REALLY believe in FREE Healthcare.
You look like you are a nurse..(lets pretend you are) Since you believe in Free healthcare. Then go and find a spot, and pay the rent there and give women FREE TREATMENT. Lets see whether you REALLY believe in FREE Healthcare.
1
Faux life fetal obsessionists who label health care providers as murders are advocates of vigilantism & terrorism. Why do we allow faux lifers the "pro-life" label?
8
Explain to me, please, why SIXTY nations are able to provide FREE health care to all its citizens, but the USA -- the richest nation ever known -- cannot? That is the question for you to answer.
7
Nicholas, Donald Trump is clearly the most "pro-death" leader that we've seen in recent American memory.
Who else would even joke about shooting someone on 5th Avenue and getting away with it? (Donald, not in NYC, you wouldn't. We'd make sure that you paid the price.)
Now Il Donaldo is threatening to sabotage the ACA in an attempt to force Democrats to cooperate in the establishment of a health care system far worse that the one that currently exists.
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-plans-to-sabotage-obamacare-de692395121e
His plan is to blame the inevitable meltdown of the system, and the unnecessary pain, suffering, and chaos that will follow, on Democrats - when, in fact, he would be the authentic author. Even his closest advisors are advising against it.
The simple fact is that Donald Trump is the personification of evil in the modern world. He's not beyond aping religiosity when playing to fools, but he has the heart, soul, and instincts of a ruthless sociopath.
He deserves to end his days in the prison system, but I expect that Mike Pence will hand him a Presidential "get out of jail free" card as he heads out the White House door. And then the civil suits can begin.
Who else would even joke about shooting someone on 5th Avenue and getting away with it? (Donald, not in NYC, you wouldn't. We'd make sure that you paid the price.)
Now Il Donaldo is threatening to sabotage the ACA in an attempt to force Democrats to cooperate in the establishment of a health care system far worse that the one that currently exists.
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-plans-to-sabotage-obamacare-de692395121e
His plan is to blame the inevitable meltdown of the system, and the unnecessary pain, suffering, and chaos that will follow, on Democrats - when, in fact, he would be the authentic author. Even his closest advisors are advising against it.
The simple fact is that Donald Trump is the personification of evil in the modern world. He's not beyond aping religiosity when playing to fools, but he has the heart, soul, and instincts of a ruthless sociopath.
He deserves to end his days in the prison system, but I expect that Mike Pence will hand him a Presidential "get out of jail free" card as he heads out the White House door. And then the civil suits can begin.
323
EVIL. Yes, that is the correct word, thanks for laying it out as a simple expression of truth. The Caligula comparisons likewise need to be replayed and repeated.
5
Hey Matthew, Way to Manipulate.... Trump did not say he could "get away" with shooting someone on 5th Avenue. He said he could shoot someone and not "lose votes". Do you understand that he was making a joke about how strong his supporters were behind him. And I issue the same challenge to you. Since you believe in FREE Healthcare. Go and find someplace and Rent it and give people Free healthcare. Lets see if you REALLY believe in it.
Millions of renegade sperm must live so millions of women and girls can enjoy a forced pregnancy and/or die.
It’s the kind of Republican math and rape of women’s rights that only a Grand Old Pervert or the religiously sadistic could worship.
What would make Donald Trump and conservatives such nakedly cruel people, happy to ban all talk of sex education, contraception and female healthcare so unwanted renegade sperm can enjoy civil rights while women are reduced to birthing vessels by the state ?
Power, greed, hypocrisy and religious dementia – the building blocks of Republican misanthropy, misogyny and medievalism.
Thanks to Nicholas Kristof for exposing the moral rot of ‘pro-life conservatism’ that also aborts the Earth’s climate and natural resources 7.5 million humans and counting like a ticking time bomb.
http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/
Forget ‘conservative’ – their real catchwords are conscienceless, cluelessness and caveman-like cruelty.
In the meantime, while America’s government is headed by these reckless Christian Shariah Law Crusaders of Cruelty, real human beings with human compassion can still donate to organizations that live in the real world…not in a religious fantasy world…and help fight the GOP Gag Rule that continues to torture women around the globe.
http://www.ippf.org/support-us/donate
http://www.unfpa.org/donate
Stop the right-wing, Republican, religious war on women and girls !
It’s the kind of Republican math and rape of women’s rights that only a Grand Old Pervert or the religiously sadistic could worship.
What would make Donald Trump and conservatives such nakedly cruel people, happy to ban all talk of sex education, contraception and female healthcare so unwanted renegade sperm can enjoy civil rights while women are reduced to birthing vessels by the state ?
Power, greed, hypocrisy and religious dementia – the building blocks of Republican misanthropy, misogyny and medievalism.
Thanks to Nicholas Kristof for exposing the moral rot of ‘pro-life conservatism’ that also aborts the Earth’s climate and natural resources 7.5 million humans and counting like a ticking time bomb.
http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/
Forget ‘conservative’ – their real catchwords are conscienceless, cluelessness and caveman-like cruelty.
In the meantime, while America’s government is headed by these reckless Christian Shariah Law Crusaders of Cruelty, real human beings with human compassion can still donate to organizations that live in the real world…not in a religious fantasy world…and help fight the GOP Gag Rule that continues to torture women around the globe.
http://www.ippf.org/support-us/donate
http://www.unfpa.org/donate
Stop the right-wing, Republican, religious war on women and girls !
480
Socrates, I always appreciate your comments. Thank you for the information on organizations providing women's health care to which we can donate.
The disdain of Conservatives for the health and well being of our fellow citizens in our country and the world obviously has no boundaries. Apparently no level of misery index is too high for them.
The disdain of Conservatives for the health and well being of our fellow citizens in our country and the world obviously has no boundaries. Apparently no level of misery index is too high for them.
69
Thank you for the information. It was very easy and a great joy to be able to do a little bit to help women's health. It didn't bring my blood pressure down into a reasonable range--how would that be possible in the Trumpocracy? I keep telling myself "this, too, shall pass." But not fast enough; not nearly fast enough.
I realize this is a shopworn concern, but I still cannot understand how so many women could vote for Donald Trump. Selective information may account for part of this, he is never mentioned on Fox news without his newfound anti-abortion views. Does that trump his groping style, something that every woman in US knows about regardless of their source of news. Does the war on Planned Parenthood, popular in many states, rely only on anti-abortion sentiment or does it also include hostility to contraception and health screening for women? Women around the world (e.g. India) are finally rising up to attack rape and the subjugation of women. What is wrong with a large fraction of our countrywomen?
4