Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Okla. Governor Vetoes Bill Making Abortion Procedure A Felony, Calling It 'Ambiguous,' 'Vague'
The New York Times: Oklahoma Governor Vetoes Bill That Would Charge Abortion Doctors
Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma vetoed a bill on Friday that would impose felony charges on doctors who perform abortions, calling the measure vague and unconstitutional. Ms. Fallin is a conservative Republican with a strong record of supporting restrictions on abortion, which she emphasized in a statement announcing her decision a day after the Legislature had passed the bill. But she acknowledged the virtual certainty that the bill would be struck down by the courts and said that the way to overturn Roe v. Wade was “the appointment of a conservative, pro-life justice to the United States Supreme Court.” (Eckholm, 5/20)
The Associated Press: Oklahoma Senator Weighing Options After Abortion Ban Veto
The Oklahoma Republican state senator who authored the bill that would effectively outlaw abortion in the state said Saturday that he hasn't decided whether he'll try to override the governor's veto. "I have not made a decision," Sen. Nathan Dahm, of Broken Arrow, told The Associated Press. "That's what we're pursuing, what we'd like to see accomplished." (5/21)
The Associated Press: Vetoed Oklahoma Abortion Bill Follows Other Failed Attempts
The Oklahoma abortion bill vetoed Friday by the governor followed at least seven other attempts by state lawmakers to restrict abortions. All of them were shot down by the courts over the last five years. The latest bill would have made it a felony for a doctor to perform an abortion. But Republican Mary Fallin, who has signed every anti-abortion bill that's made it to her desk, said the legislation was vague and would not withstand a legal challenge. A look at the other failed laws. (5/20)
The Washington Post: Oklahoma Isn’t The Only State Taking Big Steps To Limit Abortions
Before Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) vetoed a bill Thursday that would have made performing abortions a felony, five other states this month quietly advanced their own measures to curb access to the procedure. Lawmakers in Arizona, Missouri, Kansas, Mississippi and Louisiana have pushed actions to halt funding to women’s health clinics and expand waiting periods for women seeking abortions. (Paquette, 5/20)
