I am not a fan of abortion, let alone late term abortions, but I believe with all my heart that abortion is a women's health right, as recognized by most countries and by legal precedent in the United States. However, I feel as though those on the extreme edges of this important issue have been able to frame the debate about abortion in the following way: One side takes the position that abortion is always wrong, or is almost always wrong. The other side takes the position abortion is always o.k, and that it is up to the mother.
The reality is that most decisions about abortion do not come down to these two viewpoints. Even if abortion were completely illegal or completely legal, social policies would still need to be created in order to address the effects and consequences of either contingency. If it is illegal, should doctors be tried and jailed for providing them? If it is legal, should anyone be able to have an abortion on demand, such as coming in to an emergency room and wishing to terminate a pregnancy? If abortion were made illegal in the U.S. it would still be legal in Canada, Europe,parts of Mexico, etc.
In light of recent events, such as the decision of UW-Health to not provide late term abortions in Madison, as well as the uncovering of a Dr. in Pennsylvania who has been charged with murder for his involvement in illegally providing late term abortions, and today's House vote to repeal the 2009 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, I think that we need more thoughtful discussion and attempts at reaching some consensus among the majority of U.S. voters who support women's health rights.
Item 1: There is widespread agreement that late-term abortions should only be available in certain situations, such as in the cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother would be in danger. President Obama affirmed these views in an executive order following the passing of the 2009 health care bill, which is available for you to read here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-patient-protection-and-affordable-care-acts-consistency-with-longst
Item 2: Failing to provide abortion services, including third trimester abortions, is directly linked with lots of supporting evidence to the practice of illegal abortions being performed. Illegal abortions are by definitely dangerous since the medical staff performing them are not licensed to perform these types of procedures.
Item 3: Abortion is a difficult decision for any mother to make, but it is not a wrong decision in itself. The idea that personhood or 'life' begins at conception is a religious concept that should not be forced on anyone. It is a fact that about 50% of all pregnancies unfortunately end with miscarriage, which would also mean that if abortion is wrong then so is miscarriage. This doesn't make sense. There are also situations where the fetus cannot survive outside of the womb and that the termination of the pregnancy is the best choice.
Item 4: Abortion is a women's access to health care issue, and it should not be decided by government, courts, or providers that are for the most part male-dominated institutions. Men vote, and men share their opinions, but men alone should not decide what women should or should not have access to with regard to their health. I think women need to take up more decision-making positions and get more involved in politics and advocacy, in order to have a larger voice as a group. It is extremely heartening that the new newest members of the U.S. Supreme Court are women, and are likely to be big supporters of women's access to health care.
In conclusion, I think that the abortion issue is a long way from being closed. It is literally a life or death issue for many women, if not a determinant of their economic or social circumstances. I hope that some agreement may be made around areas that we can find agreement, and then on the areas where agreement is impossible, be ready to stand up for what you feel is right and to be able to explain why.
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