Critics Attack Okla. Abortion Bill As Unconstitutional, Say It’s An Attempt To Ban Legal Medical Procedure
The legislation would threaten the license of any doctor who performs an abortion except when the procedure is necessary to protect the life of the mother. In other news, Iowa's governor calls the legislature's move to ban Planned Parenthood funding a "reasonable proposal," and a new report finds that AmeriCorps "abortion doulas" were in violation of federal law.
The Associated Press:
Oklahoma Bill Tying Abortions To Doctor Licenses Criticized
Of the pieces of anti-abortion legislation that Oklahoma lawmakers have considered this session, one that would strip doctors of their license to practice has abortion rights activists and the state's medical association balking. The bill would prohibit any physician who performs abortions, deemed "unprofessional conduct" in the measure, from obtaining a license to practice medicine. That would be the first such law in the nation — and an unconstitutional attempt to ban abortions, according to Center for Reproductive Rights, a New-York based abortion rights organization. (4/25)
The Des Moines Register:
Branstad Backs Move To Defund Planned Parenthood
Gov. Terry Branstad said Monday he believes the Iowa House has adopted a "reasonable proposal" that would continue statewide family planning services while barring funds for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. (Petroski, 4/25)
The Hill:
Americorps Workers Helped Young Women Get Abortions
Six members of the national service program AmeriCorps recently escorted young pregnant women to abortion clinics in a “direct violation” of federal funding rules, a government watchdog will report Tuesday. The volunteers served as clinic escorts, also known as “abortion doulas,” in parts of New York City, according to a source familiar with the report from a federal inspector general’s office. A summary of the report will be published online Tuesday. (Ferris, 4/25)
