Northwest Arkansas doctors are recommending residents leave the state to have a baby.
What’s happening: On Tuesday, a panel of experts stated that Arkansas’ new abortion law places doctors and hospitals into difficult positions. Pregnant women are at higher risk for serious health problems and death.
- The Fayetteville Public library hosted the event on behalf of the University of Arkansas Education Association/Local 965. You can watch it here.
- Kathleen Paulson, a gynecologist working at the university’s on-campus hospital; Jill Wieber Lens (law professor specializing for pregnancy loss); and Nicole Clowney (D–Fayetteville). Karen Sebold, a political science professor, moderated the discussion.
Current state: Arkansas doctors may legally perform abortions only to “save or preserve the child’s life” or “save a mother’s life.” A doctor performing an abortion could be sentenced to up 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $100,000.
It means: Lens explained that because of the vagueness and criminalization of abortions, doctors and hospitals now have to involve lawyers in their treatment. This allows them to protect themselves and keep their patients’ best interests at heart.
- “How close to death must one be to allow a doctor to legally intervene to save someone’s life?” She asked rhetorically.
- Lens explained that while the language may not be clear in certain situations, such as when a pregnancy is not yet causing serious health problems, doctors expect it will. Patients must wait until the fetus stops developing and has lost its heartbeat before they can have a miscarriage.
What they are saying: Paulson said, “When your ready to start your family move to a state which protects your reproductive rights.”
- “It’s frightening. “I would be afraid to start my family in the current circumstances. If I or my daughter rolled into the emergency room at 17 weeks with ruptured membranes, or someone close to me, I couldn’t trust that they would receive the care they required in this condition at this time.” she stated.
What to Watch: Clowney said Democrats plan to introduce a bill next session that would change the “to save the mother’s life” exception to “care for the health of the mother.” They plan to introduce bills that will allow abortions in cases such as rape, incest, or lethal foetus anomaly. This will mean the baby won’t be born alive.
