Arizona Governor Approves Abortion Constraints

[babylonsister]

Arizona Governor Approves Abortion Constraints

by Paul Davenport


PHOENIX - Republican Gov. Jan Brewer on Monday set a new course from her Democratic predecessor on the issue of abortion, signing a measure imposing new mandates and restrictions.

One of the bill's provisions is a requirement that those who visit an abortion provider wait 24 hours before getting an abortion. The visit would have to include disclosures by doctors in person about the procedure, risks and alternatives, and the fetus' probable characteristics.

Also, an existing law on parental approval for minors seeking to end pregnancies would be toughened. In addition, pharmacists and other health care providers will be able to refuse to hand out emergency contraception on moral or religious grounds.

Former Gov. Janet Napolitano, who was governor for six years, vetoed all bills sent to her that restricted abortion rights. Brewer replaced her in January.

The head of a group lobbying for the bill on behalf of Christian social conservatives said the signing shows Brewer "stands for life" and caps a 13-year effort for passage of so-called "informed consent" legislation.

"Governor Brewer's signatures today move Arizona in the right direction," said Cathi Herrod, president of the Scottsdale-based Center for Arizona Policy.

Planned Parenthood's Arizona affiliate, which provides abortion services and which opposed the bill, said it "creates barriers, increases costs and denies access to services and providers to women who seek abortion care."

Said Bryan Howard, the affiliate's president: "Women will be forced to delay their care, in turn increasing their health risks."

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http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/07/14-3