Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Louisiana's Democratic Governor Poised To Sign Heartbeat Bill, Diverging From Party On Issue
The New York Times: Louisiana Moves To Ban Abortions After A Heartbeat Is Detected
On the heels of a spate of anti-abortion legislation passed in recent months across the South, Louisiana lawmakers voted on Wednesday to ban the procedure after the pulsing of what becomes the fetus’s heart can be detected. The restriction, backed by the state’s Democratic governor, could prohibit abortions as early as six weeks into a woman’s pregnancy. Several other states have passed versions of so-called fetal heartbeat bills this year, and Alabama approved a law about two weeks ago that would forbid nearly all abortions in the state. (Blinder, 5/29)
The Washington Post: Louisiana Abortion Bill: Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards Says He'll Sign Six-Week Ban
The Wednesday vote came after an ardent debate over amendments to the bill, including one that would have added an exception to the abortion ban for cases of rape and incest. That change, and others that sought to make the law more lenient, were rejected. After nearly two hours, 79 lawmakers voted to pass the bill, while 23 voted against it. More than a dozen Democrats supported it. “As I prepare to sign this bill,” Edwards said in a statement after it passed, "I call on the overwhelming bipartisan majority of legislators who voted for it to join me in continuing to build a better Louisiana that cares for the least among us and provides more opportunity for everyone.” (Kantor and Thebault, 5/29)
The Wall Street Journal: Louisiana Legislature Approves Ban On Abortions After Six Weeks Of Pregnancy
The heartbeat bills are part of growing efforts by abortion opponents to seek to challenge the legality of the procedure frontally rather than pursuing incremental restrictions that raise regulatory and other hurdles. The new approach has gained momentum in the wake of President Trump’s appointment of conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court last year. “Our ultimate goal is to outlaw every abortion, including those that occur at any time after conception,” said Democratic state Sen. John Milkovich, a sponsor of the bill. “But we believe this is an important blow to be struck in defense of the lives of the unborn.” (Campo-Flores, 5/29)
The Hill: Louisiana Lawmakers Pass 'Heartbeat' Abortion Ban With No Rape Or Incest Exception
The Louisiana state legislature on Wednesday approved a "heartbeat" abortion bill with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, sending the measure to Gov. John Bel Edwards (D), NBC News reported. The law would be among the strictest in the nation and would ban women from terminating a pregnancy once a fetal heartbeat has been detected, typically around six weeks. (Rodrigo, 5/29)
