Taking Nominations: Worst-State-To-Be-A Woman

The competition for worst-state-to-be-a-woman is heating up fast. This, from Mother Jones:

The Indiana House yesterday passed a bill, HB 1210, that would force women to carry pregnancies past 22 weeks to term, even if the father of the fetus is their rapist or family member. The only reason a woman could get an abortion after 22 weeks (and most medical experts don't consider a fetus viable until around 27 weeks) is if carrying the fetus to term would result in the woman's death or "substantial physical impairment." Even then, her doctor would be required by law to perform the abortion in a hospital with a prenatal unit, and in the way that "would result in the best opportunity for the fetus to survive."

The bill passed with overwhelming support, 72-23. State representative Gail Riecken, a Democrat, tried to amend the bill to include exceptions for rape or incest, but her amendment failed. Among the amendment's critics was Rep. Eric Turner (Republican), who wrote HB 1210. He argued that the amendment would provide a "loophole" to women who wanted abortions. They would, he suggested, lie about being raped. "I don't want to disparage in any way someone who's gone through the experience of a rape, or incest," Turner said, "but someone who is desirous of an abortion could simply say that they've been raped or there's incest."

But since of course, this is not only about restricting abortion, but also about infiltrating our culture with every pro-life agenda item possible, the legislation has additional requirements. These include:

--Women seeking a first-trimester abortion must be advised that they may face increased risk of breast cancer after the abortion, and that giving birth protects women from breast cancer.

--Women seeking abortions must be advised that "physical life begins when a human ovum is fertilized by a human sperm."

--Abortion patients are advised that "medical evidence shows that a fetus can feel pain at or before 20 weeks".

--Before an abortion, the woman must view an ultrasound unless she certifies, in writing, in advance, that she does not wish to do so.

Forcing women to view their uterus seems to be especially popular this week.

I am not sure which state will ultimately win the contest for worst-state-to-be-a-woman, but Indiana is definitely in the running.  They seem to be particularly good at codifying lies.