A bill that has been designed to make it very difficult to obtain medication for Erectile dysfunction has been introduced in South Carolina, and I’m not kidding, because here is the actual official bill itself.
Some hilarious highlights from the text of that bill include …
Before issuing a prescription for a drug intended to treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction, a physician shall:
(a) obtain from the patient a notarized affidavit in which at least one of the patient’s sexual partners affirms that the patient has experienced symptoms of erectile dysfunction during the ninety days preceding the affidavit’s date;
(b) refer the patient to a sexual therapist licensed by the State Board of Examiners in Psychology for an assessment of the possible causes of the patient’s symptoms of erectile dysfunction and obtain a written report in which the therapist concludes that the patient’s symptoms are not attributable solely to one or more psychological conditions;
(c) conduct a cardiac stress test and obtain a result, described in writing, indicating that the patient’s cardiac health is compatible with sexual activity;
(d) notify the patient in writing of the potential risks and complications associated with taking drugs intended to treat erectile dysfunction and obtain the patient’s signature on a form acknowledging the patient’s receipt of the notification; and
(e) provide a written statement, under penalty of perjury, that the drug the physician is prescribing is necessary to treat the patient’s symptoms of erectile dysfunction, which includes the physician’s medical rationale for issuing the prescription.
… and you have to wait 24 hours …
A physician must not issue a prescription for a drug intended to treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction any sooner than twenty-four hours after the patient provides written acknowledgement of receipt of the notification required
… and it gets even more invasive …
To ensure the continued health of a patient to whom a prescription for a drug intended to treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction has been issued, the physician, as part of the patient’s course of treatment, including treatment by issuing a prescription for one or more refills of the drug originally prescribed to treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction, or the prescription of another drug for that purpose, shall:
(1) require the patient to undergo a cardiac stress test every ninety days while the patient is taking the drug to ensure that the patient’s cardiac health continues to be compatible with sexual activity; and
(2) require the patient to attend three sessions of outpatient counseling within a period of not less than six months after the drug initially is prescribed to ensure the patient’s understanding of the dangerous side effects of drugs intended to treat the symptoms of erectile dysfunction and which includes information on nonpharmaceutical treatments for erectile dysfunction, including sexual counseling and resources for patients to pursue celibacy as a viable lifestyle choice.”
So how do you feel about handling Erectile dysfunction like this?
Do you feel this is not only absurd but is a gross invasion by the government into things that are quite frankly none of their business?
If yes, then congratulations and welcome to the beginning of an understanding of what it is like being a woman in the world of Republican politics, for this is exactly how invasive the existing legislation is in South Carolina for woman seeking to exercise their reproductive rights.
Is the Bill is real or satire?
The proposed bill itself is quite real and the above wording is indeed the precise wording on this bill. If the South Carolina Governor approves it, then it would become law, but there there no expectation that this would ever actually happen.
As reported by NBC News, the bill was introduced by Rep. Mia McLeod, a Democrat from Columbia …
“I purposely tried to make it as invasive, as intrusive, as hypocritical and unnecessary as possible to make the point,”
… McLeod — a lawyer and public relations specialist — told NBC station WCBD of Charleston she wants to make sure men in the male-dominated Legislature know what it feels like to have their reproductive rights targeted.
So many calls & emails today about my ED bill! Here's the deal…you stay outta my uterus and I'll stay outta your bedroom. #ProblemSolved
— Mia McLeod (@MiaforSC) December 11, 2015
#WhatsGoodForTheGoose #StayOuttaMyUterus#ImNotGod #NeitherAreThey #ShowMenSomeMedicalLoveToo pic.twitter.com/GiYsrWe5Pg
— Mia McLeod (@MiaforSC) December 19, 2015
(Warning: you might want to skip this last part if naughty words offend you)
Not only is her point well-made, but it is indeed a highly effective way to both broaden the discussion and to also highlight an issue that has been imposed by some truly dysfunctional Republican Pricks.