The Heartbeat Bill would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, a point at which many women may not even know they are pregnant. This is a change from current legislation that allows an abortion for up to six months or 24 weeks after pregnancy. The new law would require a doctor to confirm whether there is a fetal heartbeat before the abortion, regardless of how far the pregnancy is.
According to abc newsAs of this report, the Heartbeat Bill has over 50 co-sponsors in the state’s House of Representatives. The committee’s vote this week marks the first time the long-contested bill has moved forward.
Under the Down Syndrome Protection Act, abortions after a Down syndrome diagnosis would be illegal.
“We shouldn’t let them be discriminated against,” said MP Kate Klunk. “Children with Down syndrome live amazing lives. They contribute in so many ways, but they need a chance in life to be able to do it.” Like others, Klunk disregards the autonomy of those who might carry these pregnancies, claiming that health care professionals force families to terminate pregnancies that are at risk of disability.
The third bill, the Unborn Child Dignity Act, requires healthcare facilities to provide burial or cremation facilities after the loss of a pregnancy. In addition, women must fill out a traumatic form acknowledging their miscarriage. The form is mandatory and includes a fine for a child’s miscarriage and a death certificate to show the loss – as if the trauma itself wasn’t enough.
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Members of the PA legislature today voted to punish women who have miscarried and force them to fill out this form. This is traumatic for women who experience incredible loss. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/AAnB79MGy5
– Val Arkoosh (ValArkooshPA), May 25, 2021
The bill was passed by officials under the guise that an unborn child would be treated as a person as opposed to “medically hazardous waste,” according to the Pennsylvania Family Institute.
None of these bills are “pro-life” as Republicans suggest for disregarding the life and choice of the pregnant person. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf also responded to the bills, noting that he has fought against such human rights abuses since his tenure.
“During my tenure as governor, I fought hard against right-wing attempts to restrict an individual’s right to make their own health care decisions, including using my pen to oppose any anti-electoral law passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly To veto, “said Wolf said.
“Once again, Members are working to pass an anti-electoral law that will undermine the doctor-patient relationship and restrict an individual’s right to choose what happens to their body – including repeating dire bills against which I am vetoed in the past.
“I want to make it clear: I stand firm in my commitment and my support for reproductive rights,” said Wolf, reiterating his commitment to reproductive rights and his determination to veto any bill that violates these rights.
“While members of the legislature continue to conduct health-related policy, I will not allow the Commonwealth to go backwards on reproductive rights or access to health care. I will veto any anti-election legislation that lands on my desk. “
Pennsylvania isn’t the only one enforcing anti-election laws like this. GOP officials across the country have tried for years to advance their restrictive policies under the guise of “pro-life”. Amid the pandemic, Republican officials tried to ban abortion, claiming it was an unnecessary procedure that could wait when COVID-19 cases pile up. Reproductive rights are basic human rights. Nobody should be forced or pressured into making a decision that may not be what they want for their own body and health.
Policies that prohibit or restrict abortion do not reduce the number of abortions as some GOP officials believe. Instead, they limit a woman’s right to her physical autonomy and Increase the number of unsafe Abortions and maternal health problems that occur.
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