When it comes to women’s reproductive rights it’s hard to pick which legislation to focus on. There’s just so much of it. Hundreds of bills. If you’re looking for GOP priorities, look at what they’re doing, not what they’re saying. Compare the number of their proposed “jobs” bills to the number of their women’s reproductive rights bills. There’s simply no contest.
And now we have this:
This morning, the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs unanimously passed a bill on to the full Senate that would let the government decide what a pregnant woman deserves to know about the health of her unborn child.
This morning, the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs unanimously passed a bill on to the full Senate that would let the government decide what a pregnant woman deserves to know about the health of her unborn child.
Committee members, it appears, believe it should be up to the doctor to decide if a pregnant woman should know she’s carrying a fetus with severe disabilities — especially if the doctor suspects she’ll have an abortion if she finds out. If passed, the law would make it impossible for Texans to sue a doctor for intentionally withholding this kind of information about a fetus’ health.
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The bill, as currently drafted, would not only empower doctors to keep secrets from their patients about their own bodies, but would also entrust the government to make one of the most personal, private, and life-altering decisions for Texan woman: whether they should have an abortion.
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And the majority of the bill’s sponsors voted against state Medicaid expansion, a policy that would have made health insurance far more affordable for low-income families.
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“Can I ask a question?” asked Tiddle, interrupting the line of questioning. “Don’t you think this creates a climate where doctors feel they have the right to impose their own moral beliefs?”
No one on the committee could answer.
Oh, they could answer. They just didn’t want to because their answer would reveal their true motivation. Besides, the bill’s author has made his motives clear:
Sen. Brandon Creighton, the author of the bill, said allowing the lawsuits could encourage doctors to seek out every possible disability and even promote abortions to avoid litigation. He also said he takes issue with the idea that there are “wrongful” births.
“Children born with disabilities ought to have the same rights as any abled person,” said Creighton, R-Conroe. “Their rights are just as important as others.”
Creighton’s office also “issued a press release calling the bill a “victory” for the state’s anti-abortion movement.” Of course, he did.
He’s also speaking out of both sides of his mouth. Here’s his comment to the press:
“We want to make it very clear that we are not allowing doctors to choose what information to give their patients based on their personal beliefs,” he said. “This can be ensured by other means rather than this particular cause of action called wrongful birth.”
And now let’s look at what he posted on his FB page:
Brandon Creighton · Today in the Senate State Affairs Committee, I presented Senate Bill 25. This legislation promotes life and protects doctors from the legal pressure to recommend abortion. As a father of two, it is unacceptable that doctors can be penalized for embracing the sanctity of life. Every child is precious and deserving of our protection. I appreciate Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for his support of this important legislation.
Let’s put those two statements of his together:
“We want to make it very clear that we are not allowing doctors to choose what information to give their patients based on their personal beliefs.”
“It is unacceptable that doctors can be penalized for embracing the sanctity of life.”
That’s what lying looks like.
Now consider this… whether or not a woman discovering problems with her pregnancy would have an abortion isn’t the only decision Texas is taking out of women’s hands. By lying, they are denying pregnant women the chance to seek out alternative treatment and to prepare for a child with disabilities.
I know women who have children with disabilities. These women knew during their pregnancies that there was a problem and took the time to prepare. Their budgets adjusted, they reached out to established support groups to learn everything they could about preparing for their child. They researched pediatricians, specific therapies, toys, medications, etc.. I can’t imagine the additional hardship created by withholding this vital information from an expectant mother.
And would lying doctors lie to all their pregnant patients? Or just the ones who look slutty? Guess that’s their decision, as well.
And notice, yet again, this bill only forces birth. It doesn’t come with funds to help the parents and child with disabilities. Typical. This is why I always put the term “pro-life” in scare quotes. They aren’t pro-life at all.
The fact that bills like these (and 11 other states have them) are becoming laws has got to stop. And we wouldn’t tolerate it with any other medical condition. Could you imagine a doctor being allowed to lie to a man who had a vasectomy? Tell him that the procedure was a success, when it wasn’t… because all sex should be for pro-creation, and having a vasectomy interferes with god’s will? That scenario is hard to imagine, right? Because we don’t regulate or restrict men’s reproductive choices. We wouldn’t dare. And that’s the point.
“This legislation promotes life and protects doctors from the legal pressure to recommend abortion.”
I was unaware doctors were under “legal pressure” to recommend abortion. In fact, I thought the opposite was true. Doctors are supposed to present all options available to their patients and discuss the risks and benefits associated with each choice to permit the patient to make an informed decision.
He’s just making shit up because he believes women should in no way be able to make medical decisions for themselves. Silly women. We know better than you, we’ll just tell you what we think you need to know.
What an asshole.
Having played endless games with abortion the Republicans now seek fresh insanity to excite the holy rollers who back games like this, dare say doctors in Texas have had enough of politicians and their games.. Notice they tack on their new favorite of carrying inviable and deformed fetuses to term, creative cruelty. And above all note that the hated Dan Patrick is in on it.