Don't Let Senator DeMint Put Women In Danger
Republican Senator Jim DeMint (S.C) has introduced legislation that would restrict how a woman can discuss abortion with her doctor. Specifically, the proposed legislation would even prohibit discussions of abortion on-line or on videotape.
According to the pro-choice news website NARAL, the proposed restrictions take the form of an amendment to an entirely unrelated bill on agriculture, transportation, and housing.
NARAL President Nancy Keenan denounces the measure as punitive, in particular, to women in rural areas: "if abortion came up in that doctor-patient conversation, the woman and her physician would have to go to a separate communications system." The law, as written, would apply even to women whose lives are at risk from pregnancy.
Tell Senator DeMint to leave the Internet safe from anti-choice legislation!
We the undersigned ask that you withdraw the amendment you attached (to an unrelated appropriations bill) which restricts how a woman can talk to her doctor about her pregnancy. Your bill specifically prohibits discussion of abortion via the internet and videoconferencing. We believe this measure is unjustly obstructive. We believe women should be able to discuss abortion openly with their health professionals, just as they would discuss any other health issue. Your amendment, in particular, jeopardizes women who live in rural areas and women who may need to terminate a pregnancy for health reasons.
