Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban has also prompted other legislation in this regular session. Lift Louisiana Executive Director Michelle Erenberg says House Bill 461 by Slidell Representative Mary DuBuisson would make it easier to get an abortion to treat miscarriages, mainly getting one doctor to sign off on the abortion instead of two.
“So, this would ensure that patients who are experiencing miscarriage or other serious pregnancy complications can access timely and appropriate healthcare,” said Erenberg.
House Bill 522 would change penalties that could be imposed on medical providers, instead of prison time it would be a fine. Erenberg says many physicians are fearful of what could happen if their medical judgment to end a pregnancy is questioned.
“That is later second-guessed by another doctor or even the Attorney General, that they could face ten or maybe even 15 years in prison,” said Erenberg.
Erenberg said there’s overwhelming public support to make changes to the state’s abortion ban and she’s hopeful legislators will listen this election year to their constituents.
“And to give medical providers the comfort that they need to be able to provide what has in the past been a basic standard of care in dealing with pregnancy complications,” said Erenberg.
Both House Bill 46 and House Bill 522 have been referred to House Criminal Justice.
But the Louisiana Right to Life is expected to fight these proposed changes to the abortion ban.
Here is a statement from Louisiana Right to Life spokesperson Sarah Zagorski:
HB 522 was filed to gut our pro-life laws by removing criminal penalties for violating the law. If passed, those who performed or sold an abortion would not serve jail time and may not even have to pay a fine, even if they performed a late-term abortion in the days before birth.
We believe HB 461 is unnecessary as our pro-life laws already require proper miscarriage management for women experiencing the tragic loss of their baby. It will only ensue confusion when doctors already can treat patients in crisis.
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