Arizona Committee Approves Antiabortion Bill; Democrats Boycott Debate, Vote

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 02 Mar 2009 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Republicans in the Arizona Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday endorsed a bill (H.B. 2564) to restrict access to abortion, as well as emergency contraception, in a 5-0 vote, the AP/Arizona Republic reports. Democratic opponents boycotted the hearing and did not vote on the measure, arguing that they were "taking a stand against legislation that would crimp the availability" of these services, especially for women in rural areas with few health care options, according to the AP/Republic. The bill would require a waiting period before a woman can receive an abortion, as well as mandatory disclosures to women seeking the procedure, so-called "right to conscience" guarantees for health care providers and pharmacists, and stronger provisions in the state's existing parental notification law (Davenport, AP/Arizona Republic, 2/25).

According to the Arizona Daily Star, a "key provision" of the bill requires that physicians give women certain information at least 24 hours before performing an abortion, except in the case of a medical emergency. The information includes telling the women "the probable anatomical and physiological characteristics" of the fetus at that point in the pregnancy, the Star reports. Additionally, the women must be told, in person, that the father of the child is liable for support; that medical assistance benefits may be available for care before, during and after the birth; and that public and private agencies can assist before and after the birth if the pregnancy is carried to term.

According to the Star, other provisions included in the bill would allow health professionals, pharmacists and hospitals to refuse to perform abortions -- a right currently only allowed for physicians. The bill would also allow these same health care professionals to refuse to distribute emergency contraception, even to rape survivors, with no requirement to provide a referral. The bill also spells out specific factors a judge can consider in determining whether a minor is mature enough to receive an abortion without parental consent, as well as a notarization requirement for parental consent forms.

Rep. Nancy Barto (R), a sponsor of the bill, said that nothing in the measure would prevent a woman who wants an abortion from getting one but that it might reduce the number of abortions if women are given extra time to think about it (Fischer, Arizona Daily Star, 2/26). Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, said the bill "would not prohibit one abortion" and would provide women with information allowing them to make informed decisions.

However, Rep. Phil Lopes (D) said the bill is a step toward making abortion unavailable in Arizona and would force women to travel to California for the procedure. Candace Lew, a Tempe, Ariz., ob-gyn and a leader of Planned Parenthood Arizona, said the "informed consent" provisions are insulting to women. She said it is "not government's place to make a woman's decision for her, and this bill certainly attempts to do that" (AP/Arizona Republic, 2/25). Bryan Howard, president of Planned Parenthood Arizona, said the informed consent provision is a "government-mandated lecture." He added that the bill forces women to visit a physician twice, which is difficult for those who do not live in the metropolitan areas where physicians perform abortions (Arizona Daily Star, 2/26).

Rep. Ed Ableser (D), a lawmaker who boycotted the debate and vote, said, "They've stacked the committee in such a way that Democrats are irrelevant." He noted that all six Republicans on the committee oppose abortion rights. House Speaker Kirk Adams (R) said that although all the Republicans he appointed to the panel oppose abortions rights, the same can be said for a majority of the 35 GOP representatives. He said the boycott "sounds like a temper tantrum occurring." He added, "Clearly they don't agree with the bill. The responsible thing to do is to stay and state your case and vote against the bill" (Arizona Daily Star, 2/26).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.

• Additional
• References
• Citations