Bachmann believes tax breaks for breast pumps is leading us down the road to a ‘nanny state’
Tea Party favorite Michele Bachmann criticized Michelle Obama over the government’s role in breast-feeding, accusing the first lady of trying to lead a “nanny state.”
Bachmann, who is thinking about running for the presidency, made her comments today on conservative radio host Laura Ingraham’s show.
Last week, the Internal Revenue Service issued a rule saying breast pumps and other nursing supplies can be deducted as medical expenses. A woman can also get reimbursement for such supplies through a health savings account, the IRS says.
The first lady also recently remarked how breast-feeding can help reduce childhood obesity.
“I’ve given birth to five babies and I breast-fed every single one,” Bachmann said. “To think that government has to go out and buy my breast pump. … That’s the new definition of a nanny state…”
The first lady has spoken before about breast-feeding her youngest daughter, Sasha, now 9 years old. During a roundtable with reporters marking the one-year anniversary of her “Let’s Move” campaign against childhood obesity, the first lady made a comment that “kids who are breast-fed longer have a lower tendency to be obese.”
Kristina Schake, Obama’s communications director, said: “Breast-feeding is a very personal choice for every woman. We are trying to make it easier for those who choose to do it.”
Can someone explain to me how this makes us a nanny state?
