Abortion

New Hampshire Plays Catchup On Abortion Restrictions

Afraid of being left behind, the New Hampshire legislature just proposed pretty much every restriction they could think of.

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Defunding Planned Parenthood. A 20 week ban. Conscience clauses.  “Partial Birth” abortion ban.  Perhaps in preparation for the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the legislators of New Hampshire have gone all out when it comes to proposing new restrictions on access to abortion.

Via The Concord Monitor:

Among this year’s crop of bad bills:

• House Bill 228, which would prohibit the state from entering into a contract with Planned Parenthood Federation of America or any organization that provides abortion services – presumably including Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. This measure could face a House vote as soon as tomorrow.

• House Bill 1659, the “women’s right to know act regarding abortion information.”

Under this proposal, 24 hours before performing an abortion, doctors would be required to give patients a slew of information about the procedure – including some of dubious legitimacy. Printed materials required to be provided to women seeking abortions would include this quote: “There are many public and private agencies willing and able to help you to carry your child to term, and to assist you and your child after your child is born, whether you choose to keep your child or to place her or him for adoption. The state of New Hampshire strongly urges you to contact one or more of these agencies before making a final decision about abortion.”

• House Bill 168, requiring the state to compile and maintain induced termination of pregnancy statistics – though the purpose of those statistics is unclear and the privacy protections weak.

• House Bill 1653, which purports to protect from discrimination medical professionals who refuse to participate not just in abortions but also in such procedures as birth control, artificial insemination, assisted reproduction and sterilization.

Does that mean, for instance, that a group like Planned Parenthood would be required to hire a medical professional who opposes the very mission of the organization? The language is sweeping and problematic.

• House Bill 1660, which would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks.

• House Bill 1679, which prohibits third-trimester abortions and “partial-birth” abortions.

Looks like “live free or die” sentiments don’t apply to a woman’s right to reproductive freedom.