Thursday July 15, 2010
Missouri 5th State to Opt Out of Taxpayer-Funded Abortion
New law includes significant informed consent enhancements
By John Jalsevac
WASHINGTON, July 15, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) –Yesterday, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon allowed SB 793 to become law without his signature. The law will significantly enhance the state's informed consent protections for pregnant women and make Missouri the fifth state to opt-out of the abortion mandate in the federal health care law.
A spokesman for the governor, Scott Holste, would not say whether the governor personally supports or opposes the abortion bill.
"Gov. Nixon believes that that given the legislative deliberations ... the appropriate action is to allow the bill to go into effect," Holste said, according to the Associated Press.
Under the new informed consent provisions, women must be advised of the risks of abortion, given information about the physiological characteristics of their unborn child, and be presented with what resources are available to women who choose to bring their child to term.
Abortionists will also be required to provide a brochure proclaiming: "The life of each human being begins at conception. Abortion will terminate the life of a separate, unique, living human being."
Women must also be given the opportunity to view an ultrasound, learn about the pain an unborn child may feel during a later term abortion, and to have access to a telephone if she is at the abortion facility under duress from a third party.
"Because of Governor Nixon’s decision to allow women to be more fully informed, we believe that more expectant mothers will choose life for their babies," said Pam Fichter, the President of Missouri Right to Life. "Missouri Right to Life has worked hard for several years to pass this legislation and is very pleased to see it become law."
Additionally, under the law insurance plans in the soon-to-be-created federal health care exchanges which are subsidized by taxpayer dollars cannot offer abortion coverage in their health plans
"We applaud our allies in the Missouri legislature for dramatically enhancing the informed consent protections for women in Missouri and making Missouri the fifth state to opt out of taxpayer-funded abortion," said Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President & CEO of Americans United for Life (AUL). "This new law protects women, their unborn children, and taxpayers making it a win for everyone in the state."
AUL's State Director Kerry Messer had worked extensively with Senate sponsor Rob Mayer on the legislation.
"Throughout my career, I have had a strong pro-life record, and today is really a big leap forward in protecting the lives of the unborn,” Sen. Mayer stated. “I truly believe that anyone who can hear the heartbeat of these children, or see the pain the child goes through, and is told about the many options they have, will ultimately choose life."
The law goes into effect Aug. 28.