Jessica Valenti: Anti-choice groups & lawmakers are increasingly focused on data

[Nevilledog]

https://jessica.substack.com/p/strategy-watch-abortion-reporting

Anti-abortion groups and legislators are increasingly using data and abortion reports as a way to make and keep abortion illegal. Last year, for example, I published an investigation into how Texas Republicans were forcing doctors to report false abortion ‘complications’. The idea was to compile fake data that would give them ammunition to claim abortion is dangerous.

Since Roe was overturned, conservatives have been weaponizing data in all sorts of ways—from state abortion reporting to sowing distrust in maternal mortality numbers. Most recently, I’ve had my eye on what’s happening in Kansas and Indiana.

Kansas Republicans, for example, have been advancing a bill that would require abortion providers to ask patients why they’re ending their pregnancy—and then report those answers to the state. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is expected to veto the legislation, but as you know, it’s vital that we’re paying attention to what Republicans are doing no matter where their bills end up.

Naturally, anti-abortion lawmakers claim the reports would be in women’s best interest. Republican Rep. Brenda Landwehr said, “We have an opportunity to have more services for women when they get in these positions…as policy makers we need to understand what is occurring and what else we can do to help these women make a more informed decision.”

*snip*