Commentary: Mayra Flores draws criticism

On the last day of early voting I received a Republican Party of Texas-paid flyer for Mayra Flores.

It is difficult to overstate just how the peddling of outright lies is morally obscene. The lies in that flyer are the antithesis of Mayra’s public record during her candidacies and brief prior term in Congress. Every time she voted in Congress, she voted exactly how Heritage Action/the Heritage Foundation wanted her to vote, never for us, her constituents in Texas. The Heritage Foundation is the publisher of Trump’s Project 2025.

This flyer is insidious and corrupt. If the lies spewed were not so flagrantly foul, if the gaslighting of voters weren’t so obvious, it would be laughable, but instead, it is tragic because people die unnecessarily due to Mayra’s past stance on the issues that have only “changed” to deceive voters.

The flyer states Mayra has “the plan” to do this. What “plan”? The same person who cosponsored the fewest bills compared to the Texas delegation, introduced “0” bills that were made law? To her credit, the Congressional Record quoted her: “Protecting life shouldn’t be political,” but she was not thinking of protecting the life and health of Texas women when she said that. Unfortunately, even with the best of intentions, Mayra simply is not a planner and cannot fulfill any of the flyer’s promises, namely:

1. Expand access to quality health care and make it more affordable.

Exactly how was Mayra going to expand access to quality health care? With 20% of OB-GYN’s leaving Texas and almost 15% retiring early, with women’s doctors terrified of facing life imprisonment, fines and the loss of their medical licenses for trying to save a woman’s life, the situation has turned into something that’s about the doctor and her/his risk instead of being about the woman and her compromised health situation. And now, there is a 16% drop in medical students applying to obstetrics and gynecology residencies in Texas; so, the pipeline of new doctors is in peril. Thank God, women’s doctors aren’t totally abandoning Texas but already more than 45% of Texas counties are maternity care deserts with no doctor from whom to get prenatal care and nowhere to deliver your child. There was a 56% mortality rate increase for pregnant women in Texas from 2019 to 2022. Mayra, Ted Cruz, Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton, Texas lawmakers and elected Republican justices effected this violation of “natural justice” against Texas women. (Google “natural justice.”)

2. Reduce barriers to affordable birth control.

After a decade of state-led attacks, Texas Republicans cut funding to Planned Parenthood in 2011 and filed a meritless lawsuit in 2022 to try to bankrupt it. Planned Parenthood has for generations been trusted, affordable birth control. Women are now asking, “Can I still go to Planned Parenthood in Texas?”

Other barriers to affordable birth control: Cost, lack of health insurance, lack of information/knowledge gaps, limited state programs, lack of prescribing providers, wait times to get an appointment with a doctor, lack of transportation to get to a health center or pharmacy, lack of same-day service, lack of a pleasant environment, poor customer service, mistrust of doctors, unavailability of female providers, partner or parents don’t want you to get birth control.

How is Mayra going to reduce barriers to affordable birth control?

Unintended and forced pregnancies result with children who are a lifetime societal commitment needing affordable, quality child care, health care and education to reach their potential. Mayra’s leader’s Project 2025 will never address these essential programs that help provide a quality way of life for all Americans. Without a Department of Education, who will ensure the rising number of children with ADHD, ADD, autism and other different abilities receive the best possible education in Texas? With a Robert Kennedy to become a principal on the nation’s health care, is the next misstep going to Make Measles Great Again? 3. Ensure exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother are factored into health care policy decisions.

I think the horse already bolted out the barn on this one. And exactly how is Mayra to “ensure” reproductive health care? “Life of the mother” is supposedly already “factored in” in Texas, but that amounts to a big fail. It is the most ridiculous, disgusting, untenable lie being told to voters. I realize Republicans are desperate to win this seat, but please just stop lying to voters as if you care.

4. Increase access to breast cancer screening and treatment.

Mayra, is that’s all you know about women’s health? I’m a breast cancer survivor (thus far). What will you do for uninsured and under-insured women, those who don’t qualify for Medicaid because they’re not poor enough. Sit with them at DHR while they apply for credit? Will you make sure medical debt doesn’t negatively affect their credit scores? Or bankrupts their family? Will you make women without insurance not receive diagnosis and treatment or delay it more than 60 days each? Every day with undiagnosed cancer or preventative services counts. It’s OK to disagree on policies but voters should not have to put their lives into the hands of people who are disingenuous, lie with impunity and who clearly are without honor and integrity, or they wouldn’t put out such egregious lies just days before the election. All should not be fair in politics.

Diana Clyne lives in Alamo.

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