McClurkin Praises Passage Of Women's Health And Safety Act
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: February 19, 2013
Women
seeking abortions in Alabama are one step closer to having new and
important medical safeguards after House passage of the
Women's Health and Safety Act, a measure sponsored by State Rep. Mary
Sue McClurkin (R - Indian Springs) and designed to substantially raise
standards of treatment, care and aftercare in abortion clinics
throughout Alabama.
"Though
I am a committed opponent of legalized abortion, the U.S. Supreme Court
has sadly allowed it to remain the law of the land, so we must do
everything possible to ensure the procedure
is performed in a safe and healthy environment that is also prepared for
emergencies that may arise," McClurkin said. "As I have noted several
times before, Alabama has more health regulations in place to protect
your cat or dog at a vet clinic than it does
for a woman receiving an abortion, and that shameful disparity will
change with passage of this bill."
The
Women's Health and Safety Act would require abortion clinics to meet
the same standards as emergency health care centers, especially since
invasive procedures are involved, and
would place stronger requirements on doctors who perform the
procedures. Additionally, provisions in the bill would require clinics
to report the names of minors who seek an abortion.
The
legislation also provides strong enforcement mechanisms against
abortion clinics unable or unwilling to meet the reasonable and
medically appropriate health and
safety standards set for these facilities.
"If
an abortion clinic is truly dedicated to providing adequate care,
ensuring dependable safeguards, and putting patients' needs before
profits, it will embrace this legislation rather
than oppose it," McClurkin said. "With passage of this bill, dangerous,
unregulated, fly-by-night abortion clinics will discontinue operations
in Alabama, and women will begin receiving the standard of care that
their health requires and their mental state
during a desperate time deserves."
The
bill, which now proceeds to the Senate for consideration, serves as the
centerpiece bill of the "We Dare Defend Our Right to Life" section of
the House Republican Caucus' 2013 "We
Dare Defend Our Rights" legislative agenda.
