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“Pink tax” and contraception bills advanced yesterday

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Illinois

* AP…

The Senate overwhelmingly approved a measure on Thursday that would exempt feminine hygiene products from the state sales tax. The plan heading to the House is a part of a national movement to eliminate the so-called “pink tax.”

The average statewide sales tax is 6.25 percent but can be as high as 10.25 percent in Chicago.

The roll call is here. Sen. McCarter initially voted against the tax cut, then rose to say his wife told him he voted the wrong way and asked to be switched to “Yes.”

* Tribune…

In the House, lawmakers approved a measure that would expand contraceptive options for women by eliminating a complicated waiver process they must go through to get birth control medications not offered by their insurance companies.

Sponsoring Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Northbrook, said women should be able to choose birth control that’s best for their bodies without having to pay more. She argued the bill actually would save the state money by preventing more unintended pregnancies. […]

“I seriously question how much promiscuity should an insurance company pay (for),” said Rep. Dwight Kay, R-Glen Carbon. “It’s simply wrong, and I think we’re trying to address issues that quite frankly don’t have any business coming up in this General Assembly.”

Supporters contended the debate wasn’t about cost or morality, with several female lawmakers arguing birth control could be used for means other than pregnancy prevention, such as treating migraine headaches or regulating menstrual cycles.

Say what you want. It’s a free country. But a guy running for reelection in a swing district (during presidential years, which this is) should probably keep in mind that a whole lot of happily married, monogamous women use birth control and lots more women who use contraception probably won’t be flattered by his characterization of their private lives when that quote hits their mailboxes come October.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 10:57 am

Comments

Once again, Kyle McCarter is following the lead of his Chicago pals and voting like they tell him. He really is a Chicago kinda guy……

Comment by OurMagician Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:03 am
=== But a guy running for reelection in a swing district (during presidential years, which this is) should probably keep in mind that a whole lot of happily married, monogamous women use birth control and lots more women who use contraception probably won’t be flattered by his characterization of their private lives when that quote hits their mailboxes come October. ===

How does Dwight Kay not understand this? He needs to come into the 21st century and at least try to learn about women’s health issues before speaking out on them. Or better yet, he needs to leave the GA.

Comment by Anonymouth Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:07 am
I can’t wait to see what Dwight Kay says about the tampon tax.

Comment by AlabamaShake Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:08 am
==“I seriously question how much promiscuity should an insurance company pay (for),” said Rep. Dwight Kay, R-Glen Carbon==

Sometimes, the attack ads just write themselves.

Comment by AC Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:10 am
Oberweis voted present? He is against all taxes EXCEPT a tax on tampons?

Comment by late to the party Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:12 am
Christmas came early for the Black Cats of 1805. Already working on putting that quote on product. Mailers are not my department but I’m sure Stuarts’ folks are on it. Thank you so so much Dwight. You make an activists job easy. Oh, oh, it will make great posters for your pizza townhall in Collinsville! YESSSSSS!

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:15 am
If you think promiscuity is expensive, try paying for prenatal care and childbirth.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:16 am
Wow, does Kay know he’s running for re-election?

Against a female professor. In a college town. In a labor-friendly county.

So he’s anti-woman, anti-higher ed and anti-labor? Good luck with that.

Comment by illini97 Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:17 am
In 2016, someone says “contraception” and the first word to pop in your mind is “promiscuity,” of the female variety?

Gee, Dr. Freud, what do you think is on his mind, most of the time?

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:17 am
AC +1

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:17 am
Honeybear, the Kay race is your locals’ target race, isn’t it? Thoughts on a gift-wrapped quote?

Comment by illini97 Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:18 am
@MisterJayEm +1

@Wordslinger +1

Well done gents!

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:22 am
Kay’s opponent: “Hey Dwight, could you please speak into the mic? Thanks!”

Comment by out of touch Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:24 am
Gift wrapped with a pretty bow on it. “Oh Dwight, you shouldn’t have!”

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:25 am
welcome to the fall campaign. no matter who is at the top of the Republican ticket, it will be someone who is against reproductive choices. and the stuff is gonna be the backdrop of all sorts of issues at all levels. careful Dwight Kay, you sound like a candidate to end up in an episode of Full Frontal, Samantha Bee’s great new show!

Comment by Amalia Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:26 am
“I seriously question how much promiscuity should an insurance company pay (for),” said Rep. Dwight Kay, R-Glen Carbon. “It’s simply wrong…”

Come on people, this such a weird and offensive objection.

And, this is a very sexist statement. How does the male version of this objective of decreasing promiscuity in this moral declaration look. No STD treatment for men? IDK….

(This is really one of my favorite subjects–the profit motive in the American healthcare sector. Life and death decisions made by insurance companies to maximize profits. This is the armpit of American capitalism. /rant)

Comment by cdog Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:29 am
Yikes Dwight. Do you encounter any women in your daily life?

File a bill for tax free jock itch remedies and just shut up. /s

Comment by A guy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:30 am
Perhaps Representative Dwight Kay would like to suggest that aspirin contraception technique that was made popular by one of Romney’s wealthiest backers during the 2012 campaign. That bit of advice went over so very well with the millions of women who didn’t vote for Romney.

Or perhaps the remarks made by Rush Limbaugh that Sandra Fluke must be a slut, because she advocated for a birth control provision in Obamacare? Wasn’t that the statement that began Limbaugh’s downhill slide via all of those boycotts that now have his show dropped from radio stations all over the country?

Women remember when you talk about them like this, Representative Kay.

Comment by Aldyth Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:32 am
Thanx to all of the male CapitalFaxers for not being dopes.
Some-days, I feel like we’re living in 1955?!? I am sure you can be conservative without being insane…I think?

Comment by Belle Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:34 am
Rep. Kay, meet 2016. 2016, meet Rep. Kay. Clearly you don’t know each other.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:35 am
“I seriously question how much promiscuity should an insurance company pay (for),” said Rep. Dwight Kay, R-Glen Carbon”

Sir, if you don’t wait to pay for Medcaid to take care of the poor children, pay for birth control. It is that simple.

Comment by Mama Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:36 am
I’m with MrJM on this. I don’t understand why there need to be laws telling insurance companies to provide contraception—I’d have thought that it was so much in their own interest that they would insist that every health insurance policy include free contraception. Can anyone explain this to me?

Given that there is a need insurance companies apparently don’t to this automatically, I certainly favor such laws.

Comment by UIC Guy Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 11:44 am
Dear Dwight Kay, I was prescribed birth control pills at 19 years old while still a virgin because I had cramps so painfully debilitating I couldn’t get out of bed a day or two every month with cramps that felt like my insides were turning inside out and so much loss of blood that when I showered in my college dorm shower stall it looked like a crime scene. Thanks to this miraculous medicine prescribed to me independently of my pristine virtue, I was able to keep going to school and work. There was a hiccup along the way though when the first birth control pill I was prescribed triggered a migraine attack that sent me to the emergency room but a different birth control pill had no such side effects and has brought much health and economic security to my life that I wouldn’t have without the pill. I resent you presuming me as promiscuous simply for having a uterus and ovaries and look forward to funding your opponent and ensuring my family members who live in your district vote against such an uneducated misogynist like you. Yours truly, HGF.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 12:05 pm
cdog+1

Meme I am actually working on right now.

Rep. Dwight Kay is all about Corporate profits and shaming women.

Picture of Dwight

“I seriously question how much promiscuity should an insurance company pay (for)” Dwight Kay

On a measure that would expand contraceptive options for women by eliminating a complicated waiver process they must go through to get birth control medications not offered by their insurance companies.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 12:07 pm
Pay for more services means pay higher premiums.

Why should the politicians be determining what goes into private contracts?

Comment by Liberty Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 12:09 pm
Pssst, Mr. Kay? You know those Christians you’re pandering to? Many, many, many of them use contraceptives. Haven’t you noticed? It’s kind of obvious if you look around. It’s not contradictory to our beliefs.

Comment by South Central Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 12:32 pm
Mr. Kay has a town hall (with pizza) at the Collinsville Library next Wednesday if anyone wishes to speak with him regarding his views on women.

He’s not Catholic, so his objection to birth control is presumably his own and not tied to a church doctrine. In fact, his religious affiliation endorses insurance coverage for contraceptives as a part of basic health care.

Comment by illini97 Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 12:46 pm
The exemption from the so called “pink tax” is classic political pandering to try to get female votes. In Illinois, we tax soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, food, and both prescription and non-prescription medicines. All of which are needed for health and/or hygiene. There is no legitimate reason to make feminine hygiene products exempt while still imposing tax on food and medicines.

Comment by Pelonski Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 12:58 pm
Many Republican Party politicians are so out of touch with their own voters.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 1:34 pm
I imagine stores along the border will be ready to absorb the rush of new business from out of state. Perhaps the added revenue can soak up some of the flow of outgoing dollars to other states with lower taxes on gas or cigarettes, etc. All in all a win for women, and possibly retailers, and hopefully this move will stem some of the bleeding caused by the lack of a state budget and economic downturn and ultimately have a positive impact on the monthly bottom line.

Comment by Jon Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 1:35 pm
Mr McCarter:

I dont approve of my tax dollars subsidizing Erectile Dysfunction products. There is only 1 reason for those pills.

Any company with a health plan gets Government Welfare. Male employees should pay for those pills themselves and without any Socialist Government Entitlements.

Comment by Jack Stephens Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 1:42 pm
1:35, not funny.

Aside from the contraceptive issues, I’m frustrated whenever I see a cost-effective treatment for migraines made inaccessible by the insurance bureaucracy. As a long-time migraine patient, I’ve railed here before about the State’s bureaucracy allowing 9 migraine-killing pills per month (less than $10/dose) but unlimited doctor visits for treatment to do the same thing (at least $400/visit.)

Go get that nitwit, Honeybear!

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:01 pm
A rather silly exemption unless it is going to be applied to a wide variety of broadly related items that affect both males and females.

And even then it is rather silly.

Comment by Federalist Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 2:54 pm
thanks Honeybear.

Reflecting on this legislative action, the big news is that it is a reasonable constraint being placed on a sector of the INSURANCE INDUSTRY!!!!

MORE.OF.THIS.

Comment by cdog Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:53 pm
You know those right-wingers: they love the little blue night before pills, but just can’t stand the little pink morning after pills.

According to non-partisan independent Guttmacher Institute:

58% of pill users also cite non-contraceptive uses
14% rely on the pill EXCLUSIVELY for non-contraceptive reasons
9% of users have never even had sex and rely almost exclusively for non-contraceptive reasons

Comment by Cosgrove Friday, Apr 22, 16 @ 3:54 pm