So, no surprise here! This study shows that many of the abortion restrictions that Republican lawmakers keep passing are based on false information and even down right lies.
In the 2015 – 2016 sessions, there were 251 bills passed in 37 states restricting abortions. Many lawmakers will outright say that they are trying to prevent abortions, but some sneak the bills by under the guise of “protecting women’s health.” The National Partnership For Women & Families’ analysis says that 150 of the laws are based on lies about the abortion procedure.
For instance, there is a bill in New York that requires the abortion providers tell women that abortion raises their risk for breast cancer. This claim has been debunked by the American Cancer Society. The bill also says that abortion causes psychological damage, which has been debunked by the American Psychological Association.
A bill in Alabama requires the doctor to do an ultrasound, which is not always necessary, and they must describe the ultrasound in great detail even when the women doesn’t want to hear it. Even when there is no medical reason for this.
Many states extended their waiting periods delaying women’s access to the care they need.
There’s a case coming to the Supreme Court that is one of the biggest abortion cases in decades. The law is part of the Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) group of laws. They say it’s because they want to keep women from going to the hospital because of it.
Sounds good in theory, but really it’s just trying to stop abortions. They are trying to say that it is a very unsafe procedure, but really it’s perfectly safe; it’s 14 times safer than childbirth. They are requiring clinics to expand hallways and build new air filtration systems. These strict regulations are leading to many clinics being closed. Doctors are arguing that it is making it too difficult to get an abortion.
There are about 240,000 women in Texas that have tried to induce their own abortion since these laws have passed. They either use home remedies or they go across the border to get the drug, misoprostol, that is used by the abortion providers in the U.S. clinics. These women could not afford to get to a clinic and could not afford to raise a child. Luckily, they didn’t do anything dangerous. Women need access to accurate information and proper care. These women did not want to have to take their abortions into their own hands.
Unfortunately, if the case before the Supreme Court is upheld, other states will be able to enact similar laws restricting women’s access to safe, legal abortions.
Featured image by thecrazyfilmgirl, available under Creative Commons 2.0 license.
