ALBANY – Today in a vote of 94-49 the New York State Assembly approved passage of AB 6221, the extreme stand-alone 10th point from the previously packaged 10-point Women’s Equality Act, which would expand third-trimester abortions and allow non-doctors to perform abortions.
Since 2013, abortion advocates had held the Women’s Equality Act hostage to this single dangerous bill, refusing to break the 10-point bill up. This session, however, the will of the voters was finally heard, and the stand-alone bills have been considered.
“Expanding cruel and brutal third-trimester abortions has long been a goal of the anti-life lobby who never met an abortion they didn’t like,” said Lori Kehoe, New York State Right to Life executive director. “With no regard for the fully developed unborn baby who is violently dismembered, or otherwise killed, the New York State Assembly once again put the abortion lobby above New York State women and their children.”
AB 6221, sponsored by Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, would change existing New York State law, which currently allows for abortion in the third trimester when the mother’s life is in danger, to allow abortion on-demand throughout all nine months. The law would be changed to allow abortion for any reason deemed “relevant to the well-being of the patient” including physical, emotional, psychological, and familial factors, and the mother’s age.
AB 6221 has no interest in the life of the living, developed, unborn human child, stripping away any protections the smallest members of our human family have.
“We now look once again to the Senate to hold the line in defense of the children which happens to also be in accordance with the will of the rest of the people,” added Kehoe. “It is ridiculous that in 2015, with all the technology at our disposal, we are still arguing whether or not an eight month old baby in the womb deserves protection. It is doubtful that our descendants will look kindly upon this period in our history, when we fought for the right to dismember babies weeks, days and even minutes before birth.”
New York State Right to Life will be discussing this and other attacks on members of the human family at our free-to-the-public Lobby for Life Day on April 29 at the Legislative Office Building in Albany.
The New York State Assembly recently approved a controversial bill that would significantly expand access to abortion in the third trimester of pregnancy. The passage of this legislation has sparked intense debate and raised concerns among pro-life advocates regarding its potential impact on reproductive rights and the sanctity of human life.
Overview of the Bill
The bill, known as the Reproductive Health Act, seeks to codify Roe v. Wade protections into state law and remove certain restrictions on abortion. One of the most contentious provisions of the bill is its expansion of abortion access in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Removal of Restrictions
The Reproductive Health Act would allow abortions to be performed after 24 weeks of pregnancy if the health or life of the pregnant person is at risk, rather than solely in cases of fetal non-viability or when the pregnant person’s life is in danger, as previously required.
Decriminalization of Abortion
Additionally, the bill decriminalizes certain aspects of abortion care, such as removing abortion from the state’s criminal code and allowing licensed healthcare practitioners other than physicians to perform abortions.
Reaction from Pro-Life Advocates
The passage of the Reproductive Health Act has elicited strong opposition from pro-life advocates, who view the bill as a dangerous expansion of abortion rights and a threat to the unborn.
Concerns about Late-Term Abortions
Pro-life advocates argue that allowing abortions to be performed in the third trimester for reasons other than fetal non-viability or when the pregnant person’s life is at risk undermines the dignity of human life and opens the door to potentially unethical practices.
Impact on Reproductive Health Practices
Critics of the bill also express concerns about the broader implications of decriminalizing certain aspects of abortion care. They fear that loosening regulations could lead to a proliferation of abortion clinics and a decrease in the quality of care provided to pregnant individuals.
Political and Social Context
The passage of the Reproductive Health Act reflects broader trends in the ongoing debate over abortion rights and access to reproductive healthcare services.
State-Level Response to Federal Uncertainty
With the future of Roe v. Wade uncertain at the federal level, states like New York are taking proactive measures to protect and expand abortion rights within their borders. The Reproductive Health Act represents one such effort to enshrine reproductive rights into state law.
Polarization and Activism
The passage of the Reproductive Health Act has intensified political polarization and activism surrounding abortion. Pro-life and pro-choice advocates are mobilizing their respective bases and engaging in advocacy efforts to shape public opinion and influence legislative outcomes.
Conclusion
The passage of the Reproductive Health Act by the New York State Assembly marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over abortion rights and access to reproductive healthcare. While proponents of the bill argue that it represents a necessary step to safeguard reproductive freedom, pro-life advocates warn of its potential consequences for the sanctity of human life and the practice of medicine. As the debate continues to unfold, the Reproductive Health Act serves as a focal point for discussions about the balance between reproductive rights and ethical considerations surrounding abortion.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
