Faith

Sebelius: Contraception Mandate Won’t Cost Taxpayers Because There Will Be Fewer People to Insure

In a classic example of what many observers will call a “she said what” moment, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius explained that the population controlling effects of the contraception mandate will compensate for its costs to taxpayers in a hearing before a House panel today.

“The reduction in the number of pregnancies compensates for the cost of contraception,” Sebelius said.

Her questioner, Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), responded with no small measure of incredulity. “So by not having babies born, we’re saving money?”

Sebelius did not answer the question directly. “Family planning is a critical health benefit in this country, according to the Institute of Medicine,” she said, simply.

Watch the exchange:

Sebelius wasn’t done, though. She also told Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), when questioned about the constitutionality of the mandate, that the administration hadn’t even sought an opinion from the Justice Department before going through with it.

Sebelius‘ comments on the contraception mandate’s intended result of reducing population may raise some questions among those skeptical of family planning as an institution. The idea of keeping costs down by reducing the number of humans on earth is, to say the least, counterintuitive. However, this idea of using depopulation to control costs is not unique to Sebelius. In fact, the main organization concerned with family planning at the global level, the United Nations Population Fund, issued a statement in 2008 suggesting that a decrease in population could help to combat climate change:

Most environmental problems, including those arising from climate change, tend to be
aggravated by population growth and greater population size. Thus, the fact that the world’s
population has reached 6.7 billion and continues to grow by some 78 million additional
people a year is unquestionably relevant.

The same statement also suggested that increases in population could lead to greater poverty, which was framed as a problem not in itself, but only for environmental reasons:

At one end of the scale, rapid population growth combines with poverty and lack of access
to resources in a number of poor countries to exacerbate problems of local environmental
degradation, resource depletion and inhibitions to sustainable development. Population,
environmental degradation and poverty are linked in the search for fuel-wood, food, water
and other basic needs, making impoverished people unwitting agents of environmental
change. Environmental footprints are thus also related to poverty and unfulfilled basic
human needs as well as to key civil and social rights.

Is Sebelius’ policy cover for this kind of Malthusian thinking? Weigh in below.

Comments (150)

  • cassandra
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:19pm

    How very agenda 21 that sounds, isn’t that their goal fewer people

    Report Post »  
    • snooop1e
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:37pm

      Wow that was faaaaaaaaaast. This morning I commented that the contraception mandate was intended to increase the number of sterile men and women, increase the number of children killed in the womb and thereby decrease the number of babies born and the number of people who would receive health care under Owe-bamacare. I didn’t think they would actually say it out loud though.

      Report Post » snooop1e  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:39pm

      Eugenics and American social history, 1880-1950.
      Allen GE.
      Source
      Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130.
      Abstract
      Eugenics, the attempt to improve the human species socially through better breeding was a widespread and popular movement in the United States and Europe between 1910 and 1940. Eugenics was an attempt to use science (the newly discovered Mendelian laws of heredity) to solve social problems (crime, alcoholism, prostitution, rebelliousness), using trained experts. Eugenics gained much support from progressive reform thinkers, who sought to plan social development using expert knowledge in both the social and natural sciences. In eugenics, progressive reformers saw the opportunity to attack social problems efficiently by treating the cause (bad heredity) rather than the effect. Much of the impetus for social and economic reform came from class conflict in the period 1880-1930, resulting from industrialization, unemployment, working conditions, periodic depressions, and unionization. In response, the industrialist class adopted firmer measures of economic control (abandonment of laissez-faire principles), the principles of government regulation (interstate commerce, labor), and the cult of industrial efficiency. Eugenics was only one aspect of progressive reform, but as a scientific claim to explain the cause of social problems, it was a particularly powerful weapon in the arsenal of class conflict at the time.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:51pm

      I guess Sebelius doesn‘t realize that God is going to turn the earth on it’s ends whether there is 10 billion people in the world or whether there is several billion people in the world. It ain’t got nothing to do with the population level.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:54pm

      The Lord Almighty is going to turn over the earth until the people who are like the kind of person Sebelius is do not exist anymore.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • lovenfl3
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:55pm

      Obviously Margaret Sanger would be very proud of Kathleen Sebelius. Is it me or does this woman freek everyone out? Where did Obama find all these freaks?
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o35_9qcK0U0

      Report Post » lovenfl3  
    • midwesthippie
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 1:59am

      …don’t you right-wing religious fanatics get it? nobody cares about your freekin‘ contraception freekin’ issue. move on…this is why you can‘t win a freekin’ election.

      Report Post » midwesthippie  
    • skitrees
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 2:42am

      Yeah, because we know that by NOT KILLING millions of babies, the tax base would GROW, as would innovation, jobs, medical cures, etc.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 3:56am

      Nazi Germany came to the same Conclusion… Terminate People to make the Socialist System better and more Economically Sound!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Mateytwo Barreett
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 5:35am

      @Snoopie
      Why not get it out! There’s SO much in the channel now, the rest is just overflow. It CANNOT be absorbed! Kinda like “overload the system”. Betcha you were hopin’ for an affordable health care system, werncha!

      Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
    • NORTHBRO
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:20am

      Wow what an intelligent headline, ‘less people born=less people to insure’ DUH There are also less people to pay the taxes. Think about it. (stupid lefties)

      Report Post » NORTHBRO  
    • Lee_in_PA
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:40am

      I thought almost the same thing. Does she realize what she’s advocated?

      Report Post » Lee_in_PA  
    • Free2speakRN
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 9:07am

      midwesthippie

      It‘s the ’Religious Freedom’ issue. Don’t you want to believe what you want? Can you really be that uninformed and stupid. Look at the Bill of Rights. #1.

      Maybe sterilization should have been done on your grandmother, so as not to bring your mother into this world. Sound a little different when it hits home? It should. It’s about Religious Freedom that some religions say, (if back then), No! This lady, (Your grandmother) is NOT going to be sterilized by our Catholic hospital, nor will we pay any money to anybody that will give the Go Ahead and do this to a person. NO WAY!!! It is against our belief and consciense! You can’t make us do it. It goes against our Religious Freedom given to us in the Constitutional Bill of Rights. It’s the Law.

      This, is what this is all about. Think it can’t happen to your own? They use the ‘contrceptive’ issue because it comes off the least harmful looking. And people like yourself who don’t agree with the Catholic Teaching, swollow it with one gulp. If this doesn’t make you pause…..well, do your worst. I’ll just shake the dust off my shoes about you.

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 10:42am

      This is pretty simple really. It’s less expensive for an insurance company to cover birth control that than it is for them to cover the costs associated with preganancy and childbirth. The couple avoids an unwanted pregnancy, and the insurance company makes more profit. There are no losers here.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges12
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 10:06pm

      “Sebelius: Contraception Mandate Won’t Cost Taxpayers Because There Will Be Fewer People to Insure”

      Awesome!
      And with that logic, think of ALL THE MONEY we could save (trillions!!) if we also contracept … Washington DC!! Ripley, what do you say?
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCbfMkh940Q

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges12  
  • Sumrknght
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:18pm

    She spilled the beans there didn’t she? Obama administration actively seeks population control!!!!!!!!!!! Hmmmmm… who else does that? Oh yeah! COMMUNIST CHINA! Hot dog. We can be just like them!

    Haven’t they figured out the reason WHY Social Security is in such dire straights? Take the high numbers of abortions that have been taking place since Roe vs. Wade – what if they were all productive tax payers? (of course with the screwed up nanny state allowing almost 50% of the population to pay nothing… it kind of takes away from my argument)

    Report Post »  
    • Free2speakRN
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:31am

      Sumrknght

      Don‘t forget our ’Science Czar’, Holdren, wrote in a book 20 some years ago to put sterilzation drugs in our faucets. Now, with the rest of the Obama Gang, he is a hand picked Czar. Anybody think he changed his mind?………….. Hardly.

      Report Post »  
    • Link8on
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 10:36am

      The overpopulation of Washington DC beaurocrats is restraining economic productivity in the rest of our great nation. Sadly, most of them are too old for standard medical contraception.

      My suggestion is that they undergo financial contraception in the form of 50% immediate pay cuts.

      Report Post » Link8on  
  • christos
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:17pm

    ……An attempt to chip away at the conscience of the Church,at a glance there will be no difference between the Church and secular world,,,this is their True intention—losers always try to control others they are not being led by the +HOLY SPIRIT+ they are being led by their own thinking and their -god- “science”. The gates of Hell will not prevail against the True Church of +JESUS CHRIST+. They need to color their nightmares on someone else’s wall,,,Chaga tea …

    Report Post » christos  
    • Texas.7
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 2:31am

      This is our Manasseh moment, as we reach the fullness of our sin in his age:

      We know that the Israelites were told to destroy some nations and not others as they entered Canaan, and that God waited until the sins of the Amorites (killing their own children) was complete. (Gen 15:16)

      He warned Israel not to follow the footsteps of those evil people. And it was Manasseh’s sins which led to the Babylonian Captivity.

      2 Chr 33:6 He made his sons pass through the fire in the valley of Ben-hinnom; and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger….9 So Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

      2 Kings 21:10 Now the LORD spoke through His servants the prophets, saying, 11 “Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, having done wickedly more than all the Amorites did who were before him, and has also made Judah sin with his idols; 12 therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity on Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle.

      But in Christ, can hold tight to what we believe, trusting the Lord as we stand for truth. Baptized by the fire and water of the Spirit- the same pillar that guided the Israelites now dwells inside of us. Is. 43:2; Is 54:17 Trust Hi

      Report Post »  
  • Dougral Supports Israel
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:15pm

    I can think of one big hole in her logic. Chances are that those with the most unplanned pregnancies are the people least inclined to be disciplined enough to use contraceptives even if they are free.

    Report Post »  
    • geonj
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:38pm

      nail on the head

      Report Post » geonj  
    • 2theADDLED
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 11:32pm

      Stop rewarding unplanned pregnancies everyone knows if on welfare just popping out another = $$$$$
      Others see it as if I get pregnant someone will surely help me out and won’t let my baby starve.
      No Responsibility is all Democratic values are aimed at their are not one Democrat that I see will take responsibility for their actions.

      Report Post »  
    • Mateytwo Barreett
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 5:50am

      Something tells me that there have been “considerations” made for that subgroup! I would be willing to wager that as the “Affordable Healthcare ”system becomes implemented all sorts of databases will be incorporated, crossreferenced, and “appropriate ” disposition determined. You must remember that all this is to demonstrate “patriotism”.

      Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
    • TheBurningTruth
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 6:19pm

      They also tend to be those that don’t provide for themselves and live off the productivity of others. With the “safety hammock” and the Progressive Liberal mentality that everybody deserves the same (big flat screen TV, smart phone, late model luxury car, etc) there’s really very little incentive to work. Remember the video a few month back about that welfare queen in Fl that had 15 kids and was demanding that “someone pay for them?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bavou_SEj1E

      Report Post » TheBurningTruth  
  • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:10pm

    This is like all of those satellite service fliers touting “Save $900 in your first year! Save $600 in your second year!” How many people actually stop and read those things and realize, my bill’s gonna go up $300 for the second year of this contract! That’s another $25 a month that I can’t avoid with your contract!

    You want my attention (and money), don’t try to smarm me with how much I can save. I couldn’t care less about that. Tell me how much you want me to SPEND with you.

    Don’t tell me the contraceptive mandate is gonna save me money. Tell me how much the contraceptives insurance coverage is gonna COST the insurance companies, and thereby the insurance customers.

    Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:19pm

      the government wants evrybody to depend on them[socialism] so they pass theses little tidbits to keep the voted in…………look at euginics…………..that is what they want…….baby steps{nudge]

      Report Post »  
    • TheBurningTruth
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 6:23pm

      My self-paid catastrophic medical insurance (small business owner) just went from $13k/yr for two up to $$19k/yr. The Progressive Liberals would try to blame those evil insurance companies, but the reality is that it results from all those “free services” that this administration is forcing on the health care industry. I have to pay for all kinds of prenatal, birthing, baby visits along with every AIDS drug and even transgender operations for everybody else.

      Yeah, these idiots really DO think there’s a free lunch. All one needs is a govt credit card and it’s ALL FREE!

      Report Post » TheBurningTruth  
    • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 10:11pm

      When all lunches are free, they‘re nothing you’d want to eat.

      When the government tries to feed everyone is when everyone starves.

      Except government elites.

      Soon after, they all get hung from street lamps.

      Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
  • godlovinmom
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:10pm

    I just got a prescription drug card from a new government agency..and its absolutly free..imagine that.

    Report Post » godlovinmom  
  • disenlightened
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:09pm

    We’ve heard that lie from Democrats over and over. It’s not going to work this time.

    Report Post » disenlightened  
  • momsense
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:08pm

    Follow the threads—– birth control, abortion,partial birth abortions, post birth abortion because babies are only “ potential ” human beings, death panels in Obozo care, euthanasia— anyoe who is deemed inconvenient—no right to life as is guaranteed in the Constitution—–save the planet—-destroy the people.—-THE AGENDA OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY–THE PARTY OF CONVENIENCE.

    Report Post »  
    • Cosmos102
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:15pm

      All Democrats who agree with Sebelius, that we need to have fewer people, should be the ones to volunteer to off themselves.

      Report Post » Cosmos102  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:19pm

      They‘re an evil lot that’s for sure,devious vile creatures indeed.From the Marxist in chief on down every one of them have nothing but contempt for the constitution and bill of rights and this is the most ant-American regime I’ve ever seen,truly shocking.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Texas.7
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 2:58am

      COSMOS102, the problem is, they think the world needs more smart ones like them, and fewer of everyone else. If they had their eugenics dream plan come true, I would doubt very much that it would be administered without prejudices.

      Report Post »  
  • DIVINEPROVIDENCE1776
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:06pm

    Comrade Sebellius strikes again! Comrade Obama and his minions are ready for the dustbin of history! America needs to abort all communists and socialists in our local, state, and federal governments in order to survive as a free country and people!

    Report Post » DIVINEPROVIDENCE1776  
  • SurfinRallylizard
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:05pm

    How about people only have kids when they can financially support them… what a concept… so lets get the government out of the child incentive business okay?

    Report Post » SurfinRallylizard  
  • Micmac
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:05pm

    Progressive logic.

    NoBama 2012

    Report Post »  
  • godhatesacoward
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:03pm

    aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do any of these people live in the real world?????

    Report Post » godhatesacoward  
  • momrules
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:01pm

    I wonder how they are going to start killing us?

    Report Post »  
    • Micmac
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:10pm

      Death panels – restricted medical care

      NoBama 2012

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:01am

      If they went after deficits with half as much vigor, we could be debt free in 10 years.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 6:30pm

      “They” like Sibelius (people have a hot or cold aura around them & you could get “frost-bite“ standing close to this woman with ”ice” running through her veins-Yikes) may have a plan but it will be moved to plan b because we have “others” that want our “sorry-butts” off this planet, so I do believe the EMP factor will be the “didn’t see it coming” plan A…..“Jerusalem Countdown”by John Hagee..pg.26-29 is where I first read about this ingenious plot to kill Americans!

      Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:59pm

    The White Witch from LION, WITCH and THE WARDROBE…..

    Report Post »  
  • Banter
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:59pm

    And progressives laughed at Palin’s death panel statement. We assumed this meant old people, so who knew it meant both ends of the spectrum.

    Report Post » Banter  
    • Cosmos102
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:17pm

      Don’t forget the disabled and those with expensive to treat illnesses like cancer and dialysis.

      Report Post » Cosmos102  
  • aChameleon
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:57pm

    She would have took to hitler like a duck to water.

    Report Post » aChameleon  
  • welovetheUSA
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:57pm

    Impeech this silver pony tailed idoit……………..

    Report Post » welovetheUSA  
  • MrMagoo
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:55pm

    “Most environmental problems, including those arising from climate change, tend to be
    aggravated by population growth and greater population size. Thus, the fact that the world’s
    population has reached 6.7 billion and continues to grow by some 78 million additional
    people a year is unquestionably relevant.”

    Well lets see here,if I’m still alive to see Sebelius behind steel bars,her sharing concrete walls and tiny windows with other traitors of Liberty,it’ll make for a great day.

    Report Post » MrMagoo  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:52pm

    There are some very cold people hell bent on reshaping the world into their vision of what it should be.

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • desert buckeye
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:50pm

    NAZIS! Liberalism is a sickness. I hope you folks are prepared!

    Report Post »  
  • BADDOGGYDESCIPLE
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:45pm

    If we can’t have more people, we most definitely will need a fence or two.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:47pm

      Sounds like those people over 60 are very expendible!

      Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:45pm

    Save the lies, Sasyllabus….I hate the fact she’s from KS as that is my state of origin. Guess not all good comes from KS but I’m not in KS anymore.

    What an an empty tent, this lady. Please be gone by Jan 20, 2013, annoying liberal lady.

    (Good grief, her initials also are Kansas’ initials!)

    Report Post »  
    • noland
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 11:18pm

      It makes me really ashamed we Kansans were asleep when we let this Lover of Tiller in the house, as He was paying Her Big enough donations, well we woke up and in 2010 and put a boot up the arsses and got rid of the rats, all though it was too late and the marxist snatched her away from our gripps, because God knows she would”ve been taken out of Our House in Kansas! Never againin Ks were awake NOW!! So sorry to my country men for letting this Queen of the Godless, also our KC star paper is sooo far left they love the king and could care less about its citizens they also helped her get in and of course the george tillers.

      Report Post »  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on March 3, 2012 at 6:45pm

      @noland

      Don’t feel ashamed. We all think something and then it turns to crap. Secretly, just between you and me, I was for the GM bailout that Bush proposed because of the long-standing love for Chevrolets & an old car company that needed alittle help and wanted to help the workers in this auto industry so they could get back on their feet. Yep! I am severely conservative but thought “just this once” help out our fellow-blue-collar-workers…..and then Obama came into offiice and the flood-gates opened. The ole’ saying….”give an inch & they take a mile”. Thank you for letting me get that off my chest and not hold it against me because I don’t hold out what you said about being ashamed. Friends? Friends. Have a great day!

      Report Post »  
  • Mateytwo Barreett
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:44pm

    Margaret Sanger reincarnated. Either that or her(Sanger’) brother in drag.

    Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:49pm

      Think DEATH PANELS … why is it everything we said was wrong in Obamacare is coming out now as TRUTH???!! … Oh yea we are the crazy ones .. not those who want to kill people (or “allow them to die .. with a blue pill”)

      Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:43pm

    DEMOCRAT Sibelius also said that by increasing early, mid, late term and post birth ABORTIONS, there will also be less people to take care of.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • LIVINGTHEDREAM
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 9:43pm

    Wow, Sebelius scares me almost as much as Monsanto.

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 11:01pm

    Research John Holdren, Obama’s Science Czar. In a book he co-authored called Ecoscience on page 838 he suggests a law to prohibit more than 2 children. I just checked him out after the other report on the Blaze and this is a scarey man.

    Report Post »  
  • Mateytwo Barreett
    Posted on March 3, 2012 at 6:45am

    No, its not really like China’s. There they mandate 1 child- I think. Here we’re making sure everybody gets “the pill” every body knows the “pill” is safe right. No possible “contamination, no “side effects” and they are ALL just alike, right. There wouldn’t be anyway Suzy would get one formulation, and Mary gets another, quite different formulation. Especially since EVERYBODY is going to be ONE system, right?
    I mean, really, look at Kathleen Sebellius and tell me you don’t see a kind, caring, ethic…..
    Boy the wind is sure picking up!! Toto! Toto!! Come here, this doesn’t look anything like KANSAS!

    Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  

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