The debate on abortion has been an on-going conversation since even before the landmark Roe v. Wade case in 1973. Individual states, politicians and the national government are all weighing in on the subject, and it’s often difficult to make sense of it all.
The latest party to add its two cents on the topic is the state of Arizona, where “a committee of the Arizona Legislature has approved a proposal to require abortion doctors to offer their patients ultrasound images of their unborn child before ending their pregnancies,” according to a report by the Associated Press.
AP reported that the bill won approval on a 6-3 vote on Feb. 2, 2011 by the House’s health and human services committee. Republican Rep. Kimberly Yee of Phoenix presented the bill.
Supporters of the bill, those who are pro-life, believe it will give women a more in-depth and informed look at the decision they are making; that women may see the unborn child inside them and think twice about getting an abortion.
Opponents, also referred to as pro-choice, argue that many doctors already show ultrasound images to their patients before the procedure. It is their belief that the measure is simply inhibiting abortion providers to perform their services, acting as yet another barrier to halt their right to perform.
The bill is currently under review to ensure its legality. Once complete, it will head to the full House.
To help make sense of the abortion debate and to find out what legislation is going on and in what state, you may want to visit the Guttmacher Institue website (http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/abortion.html).
The Guttmacher Institute is a nonprofit research organization whose numbers are respected and cited by both sides (pro-life and pro-choice). Guttmacher researches sexual and reproductive health issues and produces a series of state facts sheets on issues affecting sexual and reproductive health and rights as well as a monthly update on state legislation.
Arizona lawmakers endorse abortion regulation bill
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/02/02/20110202arizona-abortion-bill-panel-approves.html#ixzz1CtsLulRs
Guttmacher Institute
http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/abortion.html
Women Are Casualties in High Profile Abortion Fight
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leah-anthony-libresco/women-are-casualties-in-h_b_817434.html