susan first, you know, it s i want to start with women on this always because although birth control is generally because of heterosexual sex that involves both partners and the idea that only women care about birth control is insane. but they do care about it because they re the ones that can get pregnant when they don t want to. why do the republicans, let s start with the obvious one, who supports the requirement that private health insurance plans cover birth control, just two-thirds of americans, 63%. very few things are this dramatic, 63/33. who supports contraception coverage by insurance coverage generally? democrats 83%, independents 62%, republicans even 42%. susan, this is not a winner statistically for republicans. the thing about contraception it s not a winner for republicans. talking about respect for religion, religious freedom, that s an argument they can make or talking about mandates by the
susan page is the washington bureau chief. and john heileman is editor of new york magazine. susan first. we want to start with women on this always. although birth control is generally because of heterosexual sex, they do care about it. they are the ones that can get pregnant. let s start with the obvious. let me give you numbers. who supports the requirement that private insurance companies cover the cost of birth control? just two-thirds of the american people. 63%. an incredible overwhelming majority. 63% to 33%. who supports contraception coverage by insurance companies generally? democrats, 83%. independents, 62%. republicans even, 42%. susan, this is not a winner statistically for republicans. it s not a winner for republicans. talking about respect for religion, religious freedom, that s an argument they can make. or talking about mandates by the
the motion on the table agreed to. by 51-48, mostly party line both the democrats killed the blot amendment that would have allowed employers and insurers to opt out of president obama s healthcare law that morally objectionable, including the cost of birth control. denying contraception coverage to women. it appeals to the social agenda of a small vocal part of the republican party. republicans argued it was a freedom of religion issue. i finally thought a revolution to prevent this type of tyranny. that s what it is. this is tyranny. senator roy blount said the measure narrowly focused on the healthcare law. this does nothing to modify the state or federal laws now in effect.
primarily far to the right for most americans. martha: one thing that strikes me, maybe the discussion should be more about should the government be paying for anyone s contraception? is that a personal responsibility in or is that a mandate? is that something that is due everybody. does everyone deserve to have contraception coverage? and if that s the case, are condoms in this plan? is it could comprehensive plan to have government coverage all contraception. is that central to the role of big government perhaps? absolutely. but this is the modus open ran ran operandi of this president. we ll see i think the supreme court deal with this issue in june which will be a tremendous
seems to be happening in the process is that america is hearing the voices of the women effected by lack of contraception coverage and who will benefit from this policy, that is really what is most important for me, and that is why i ve been working on this for years honestly. you are a student at george town, which is a catholic university. and there was a statement from the president of the university supporting you and embracing you, how important is that, we do not need to agree with sandra fluke s position to support her right to respectful free expression, rush limbaugh and commentators throughout the media channels responded with behavior that can only be described as vitriolic. your catholic university has at the highest level come out and endorsed your civil discourse.