Assembly passes bill to allow non-physicians to perform abortions

By Allen Payton

On Tuesday, May 28, 2013, AB 154, the bill to allow nurses, midwives and physicians assistants to perform abortions passed the California State Assembly. The bill will next be heard in the Senate.

Proponents of the bill claimed there is a necessity to expand access to abortions and that allowing non-physicians to perform abortions, women will not have to travel from rural communities to have abortions.

Assemblyman Jim Frazier, who represents Antioch in the State Assembly, voted for the bill.

“The indisputable fact is that expanding the categories of licensed abortionists will compromise the quality of women’s health in California.” Dr. Val Smith, Ph.D, a statistician in behavioral science testified at a recent hearing, “As a matter of public policy, I request that committee members weigh the inconvenience of women crossing county lines to obtain abortions against the certainty of compromised women’s health.”

Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, R-Escondido, says allowing nurses to do surgical abortion procedures places women’s lives and health at risk.

This is not a simple procedure. It is basically a surgery,” said Waldon, whose brother is a doctor. “Abortion at all costs, especially the cost of women’s health, is wrong.”

The 49-24 vote sent Assembly Bill 154 to the Senate, where pro-life groups hope to fight it.

California has the most abortions in the nation and the highest rate per capita. But that is not good enough for the abortion business,” says California Right to Life. “Assembly Bill 154 will no longer require that abortions be done by physicians, but allow mid-wives, nurses, and nurse practitioners to use the powerful instruments of death throughout the state.”

To read the entire and review the vote history of the bill, click here.


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