Posted on 02/17/2005 9:32:36 PM PST by Brian328i
HELENA -- Opponents of a proposal to issue death certificates for abortions accused Rep. Roger Koopman, R-Bozeman, on Thursday of wanting to psychologically harm women.
"It is meant to create suffering and trauma, and maybe that is what (Koopman) believes women who get abortions deserve," said Kate Cholwea of NARAL, a pro-choice group.
Koopman is sponsoring House Bill 617, which would require death certificates for any fetus that is aborted before it is 20 weeks old. A hearing on the bill was held Thursday, which drew a small but emotionally charged crowd.
"It certainly is a life in a mother's womb, and if that life ceases, a death certificate would be appropriate," Rachel Roberts of the Montana Family Foundation said.
State law does not currently require death certificates for any fetus aborted when it is 20 weeks or younger.
However, of the more than 2,200 abortions performed in Montana in 2003, nearly all were of fetuses younger than 20 weeks old, according to Koopman and other abortion opponents.
Koopman said nothing in his bill restricts a woman from getting an abortion. But it would require doctors to notify women a death certificate will be issued if they choose that route.
The lawmaker hopes that will get some women to think twice before having an abortion. The goal, he said, is to reduce the overall number of abortions, something abortion proponents themselves have said they would like to see happen.
"This bill is not a symbolic bill," he said. "This is a bill that will make a difference in many people's lives."
Koopman vehemently disagreed with the characterization that he was out to traumatize women seeking abortions. He read to committee members e-mails he received from people telling of their emotional trauma after having abortions.
But Jeri Duran of Planned Parenthood said Koopman and other abortion opponents were implying that women were having abortions for "frivolous" reasons when that's not the case.
"There is nothing convenient about having an abortion," she said. Abortions are "socially stigmatizing" for women.
To give lawmakers an idea of what they're dealing with, Gregg Trude of Montana Right to Life passed out graphic brochures showing fetuses in their first 20 weeks of development.
At seven weeks they're kicking; at 11 weeks they have feet and eyelids; at 14 weeks their hearts are pumping blood and have a nervous system; and at 19 weeks fetuses have lived outside the womb.
People go out of their way to protect household pets and wild bison, Lynn Stumberg of Helena said. "It seems ironic to me we continue to abort thousands of babies a year in this country."
Despite the controversy surrounding the bill, there appears little chance lawmakers will pass it into law this session. Bob Ream, chair of the Montana Democratic Party, urged lawmakers in the committee to kill it.
Committee members didn't ask a single question about the proposed law when time came to do so, an unusual move.
No action was taken on the bill Thursday.
Walt Williams is at wwilliams@dailychronicle.com
MT Ping
On the surface, I think this might be taking things a bit too far. I dunno, it's being considered in 5 other states, so perhaps this might eventually have some pretty strong nationwide support, akin to the gay marriage ban.
Denny Crane: "There are two places to find the truth. First God and then Fox News."
Given the fact that the Governor's mansion and the Legislature are run by Democrats here in Montana, I don't think this bill will see the light of day.
Why does Montana and the Dakotas keep electing so many Rats?
They just don't seem like the kind of places socialists like to hang out.
Maybe the law would make a few mothers stop and think, before they had their kids killed, if it were passed. Sounds like a good idea to me.
The ones in Washington; Baucus (D-MT), Conrad (D-ND) and Dorgan (D-ND), parade around their respective states as Republicans, much like Daschle did for years in South Dakota, until Thune exposed Daschle for the true Limousine Liberal that he was.
I've never voted Democrat in my life, and I ain't about to start.
traumatize??.. there was a woman somewhere selling ABORTION jewelty, she wants to CELEBRATE abortion
...At the very least lady...and at the most, I'd get banned.
There is a legal definition of what life is.
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