The HuffPost article titled, "Judge Blocks North Dakota’s Medication Abortion Reversal Law," talks about an abortion law that was struck down because of its invasive nature. The law itself would require doctors to sponsor an untested procedure to "reverse" a medicated abortion. Not only this, but as soon as doctors recommend the untested procedure, they would be required to tell their patients that "time is of the essence." Considering the fact that women would be subjected to this kind of biased language in a critical moment is shocking to see. It's shocking to see because doctors would be required by law to impose a view, that they may not even support, on indecisive women. Because this law would be a violation of the 1st amendment but also a violation of privacy, the law was ultimately taken to court and shut down. Unfortunately, there are still similar unscathed laws in place. For example, the article also mentions a similar law that requires doctors to warn their patients that "abortion terminates 'the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being.'"
While reading the article I couldn't help but feel a sense of deja vu since I kept thinking back to Margaret Sanger’s “My Fight for Birth Control." The first time I read Sangers' article, I was astounded to see the state meddling in personal matters and in very particular ways like limiting the content doctors could discuss with their patients. After reading The HuffPost article, I'm even more astounded that it's still happening. Why is this still a thing? Why isn't there more coverage on this issue?
Article Link
I think that this law of requiring doctors to inform women they can still have a live birth after they have completed the abortion procedure is absolutely inhumane. Nobody wants to have an abortion. Coming to the decision to do so is difficult enough and a result of various circumstances, sometimes uncontrollable, preventing the will of pregnancy; doctors should not tempt women to undo their choice or repeat the emotionally rollercoaster that came with its pondering. Additionally, having these doctors say "time is of the essence" in this change-provoking situation puts the woman under even greater pressure and distress when they very frankly- as medical professionals simply required to undergo a procedure- do not have the right to do so. I am shocked that laws like this still exist, and that they are giving doctors the power to distort a woman's view on an extremely personal, emotional matter.
ReplyDelete