Abortion law draws mixed reaction in Yuma
Recent abortion legislation that will impose new restrictions, including a mandatory 24-hour wait period for abortion services, has drawn mixed reviews from the Yuma area.
The bill, signed by Republican Gov. Jan Brewer on July 13, stipulates that the one-day reflection period must include in-person disclosures from doctors regarding procedures, risks and probable physical characteristics of the fetus.
This could affect women in Yuma, where those seeking abortion are routinely sent to Phoenix or Tucson due to a lack of local providers. Women will now be subject to extra expenses for travel, lodging and wage loss for what will now be a two-day procedure.
"If you look at the cost for a Yuman seeking abortion, it's going to be the most expensive trip of any woman in Arizona," said Michelle Steinberg, public policy director at Planned Parenthood of Arizona. "The bill as a whole is designed to restrict access to care."
The legislation will toughen existing laws that require informed consent for women and parental consent for minors seeking abortions. Brewer also signed a measure that specifies a punishment of up to two-years in prison for doctors who perform partial birth abortions.
Sheryl Horn, director of the Yuma New Life Pregnancy and Counseling Center, said she and her staff are very happy with the legislation, especially the resolutions regarding partial birth abortions, which she said are "gruesome horrible things."
"I think Jan Brewer is definitely taking steps in the right direction. She has done great things for the human rights cause."
The bill also protects pharmacists and health care providers from legal trouble should they refuse to participate in the provision of an abortion, abortion medication or emergency contraception based on personal moral beliefs. Steinberg disagreed with the legislation.
"This is the government impairing relationships between women and their health care providers," she said.
Yuma pharmacist Laurence Botha said he finds emergency contraception unethical and feels that the bill will offer necessary protection to pharmacists with similar views.
"I think it's very good. As pharmacists we shouldn't be terminating pregnancies."
According to Planned Pregnancy's Web site, there is some debate over emergency contraceptives, like Plan B, regarding whether they can prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg. This might be ethically problematic for those who believe life begins at conception.
Botha said that the Sav-On pharmacy where he works does not carry Plan B.
"My manager said if someone wants it, they can go to a different pharmacy," said Botha.
Howard Blitz, chairman of the Yuma County Libertarian Party has mixed feelings about the legislation. He said it is good to protect health professionals who do not wish to be involved with abortion and contraception, but heavy government involvement in the abortion issue is inherently bad.
"No one should be forced to give or receive an abortion. There are good things about the bill, but from the libertarian perspective the least amount of government the better. This is a family issue and it should be decided by families."
