The Saline County Commission turned a health department request for a state grant to fund long activating versatile contraceptive birth control into an abortion debate.

Health Department director Bronson Farmer and a staff nurse Tuesday requested approval to accept a $6,064 state grant to fund the internal contraceptives.

Commissioner John Price was vehemently against the request. “I think it’s murder and I’m not standing for it” he said.

Farmer explained how the barrier type birth control devices worked. He explained that the birth control devices are not abortive. Price was unconvinced, saying that he had spoken with several doctors.

Price later questioned if “a rubber would be better”, referring to condoms. He said if so they might as well “get a barrel of them and hand them out”. Price also said “there’s girls out there right now getting pregnant just so they can have free support”.

Commissioner Price made a motion to deny the grant request. Commission Chairman Randy Duncan seconded the motion, and it then passed by a 3 – 0 vote.

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