EDITORIAL
Abortion legislation aims to inform, provide for conscience rights
February 19, 2009 | The Catholic Sun
It may seem that the government is not getting a whole lot done besides battling massive budget deficits, but Arizona Catholics have reason to hope. Three bills supported by the Arizona Catholic Conference, focusing on partial birth abortion (HB 2400), corporate scholarship credits (HB 2288) and charitable giving serving the working poor (HB 2286), have already been passed by their assigned House committees and are set to be among the first nine non-budget related bills to be passed by the House this year.
But the really big news last week was HB 2564, the Abortion Consent Act. The measure, introduced by Rep. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, aims to reduce abortions and support the rights of health care professionals not to participate in abortion or prescribe abortifacients. The bill is supported by the Arizona Catholic Conference and the Center for Arizona Policy.
HB 2564 is good news for those who value life and the conscience rights of health care professionals for three reasons:
Parental consent: A minor must provide written and notarized consent from her parent, legal guardian or a court judge before opting for an abortion.
Informed consent: Women seeking an abortion will be required to wait at least 24 hours before the procedure. Additionally, the physician or nurse performing the abortion must inform the patient of the nature of the procedure, the medical risks associated with it and any alternatives to the abortion. The woman will also be informed of the baby’s current gestational age, as well as the characteristics of the unborn child.
Rights of conscience: This portion of the bill protects health care professionals (including pharmacists) and hospitals that morally object to facilitating abortions or providing medications that can act as an abortifacient.
The components of this bill aren’t exactly new, and have been passed by the state Legislature in years past, only to be vetoed by Governor Janet Napolitano. This year’s bill looks to have legs with new Governor Jan Brewer.
HB 2564 is commonsense legislation. Abortion advocates are already crying foul over the measure, but it is certainly hard to argue against wanting to provide safety for the mothers and their unborn children by informing them of this life-altering procedure. Also, it is imperative that we support the moral and religious beliefs of our medical professionals.
We urge the community to contact their legislators in support of this bill and, as always, we ask for prayers in support of our elected officials that they may be agents of change in the ongoing fight against abortion.
