By Rev. Mark H. Creech, executive director
Christian Action League
This has been a banner year for pro-life legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly. First, there came the passage of Ethen’s Law – legislation that requires that any perpetrator who murders a pregnant woman in this state is also charged for the death of her unborn child. Also passed was a measure allowing for a specialized ‘Choose Life’ license plate that will help fund Crisis Pregnancy Centers in the Tar Heel state. But perhaps the most exciting pro-life bill to pass was the ‘Woman’s Right to Know Act’ – legislation that could save as many as 3000 or more unborn children a year – legislation North Carolina’s Governor vetoed and called “repugnant” and “extreme.”
“Repugnant” and “extreme”? How the Governor could have legitimately arrived at that conclusion is truly mind-boggling.
According to a recent policy paper prepared by our friends from the North Carolina Family Policy Council, here is a comprehensive list of the reasonable requirements of the ‘Woman’s Right to Know Act’:
- At the time of the appointment for the abortion, a price list for counseling, ultrasounds and abortions and locations where the counseling and ultrasounds can be provided other than at the abortion clinic, including locations providing free services.
- A 24-hour waiting period between counseling and the abortion to provide the woman with time for reflection after she has received counseling.
- Information given in writing by a physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse (including doctors, P.A.s and nurses unaffiliated with the abortion facility) regarding:
- Gestational age of the unborn child.
- Name of the doctor performing the abortion.
- Liability of the father for support.
- Location of the hospital within 30 miles of the abortion site where the physician has admitting privileges.
- Alternatives to abortion.
- The right of the woman to withhold consent at any time.
- If the physician has liability insurance.
- Detailed information provided in writing and given to the woman regarding:
- Physical characteristics of unborn children at two-week gestational increments.
- Information on services available to help the woman carry the baby to term, after care and care for women with dependent children.
- Information on the legal obligations of the father to provide at least financial support for the child.
- Information on other facilities providing counseling and ultrasounds, including facilities providing these services free of charge.
- Other requirements, include:
- An ultrasound as part of the counseling 24 hours before the abortion is scheduled to be performed. The mother will be offered the opportunity to see the ultrasound at least 24 hours before the scheduled abortion.
- Reporting requirements regarding counseling and effect. Penalties for non-compliance.
- Penalties for Failure to Provide Informed Consent.
These requirements before having an abortion are hardly “repugnant” or “extreme”. In fact, what’s “repugnant” is that a woman be allowed to make such a grave decision without providing her with all of the information she needs concerning the risks and consequences of having an abortion. What’s “extreme” is to abandon her in a desperate situation with the false notion that there is really only one choice before her – the choice of an abortion.
This legislation empowers women!!! That’s why the Governor’s veto of it is not simply pro-abortion, but anti-women’s rights! A woman has a right to have all of the information available regarding what has proven to be a life-altering decision for many women.
I implore you to contact your lawmakers in both the N.C. House and Senate and ask them to support an override of the Governor’s veto of this legislation. Providing that we can find at least one vote in the House and one in the Senate, a veto override could be attempted as early as next week while lawmakers are considering matters of redistricting.
Be assured that the pro-choice groups in North Carolina are well-funded and earnest in their opposition to this legislation. But you can make the difference. We only need just one more vote in each chamber to secure a veto override.
Don’t let this matter go by without raising your voice in support of an override of the Governor’s veto of HB 854 – Woman’s Right to Know Act.
Here’s what you can do:
- To send your lawmaker (Both Senate and House) an email asking/him or her to support an override of the Governor’s veto of the Woman’s Right to Know Act click here.
- After sending an email follow-up with a phone call to your lawmaker (Both Senate and House). To call your Senator and Representative click here. (A phone script is provided)
- Contact your friends and ask them to contact their lawmakers regarding the same. (Place on Facebook and other social networks. This same Christian Action Alert can be found on the homepage of the Christian Action League’s web site.)
- Ask your Pastor, Sunday School teacher, etc. to announce this. But be sure to provide everyone with the phone number and the email addresses of the Senate and House members that are located in the district of your church.
- Pray for an override of the Governor’s veto on the “Woman’s Right to Know Act” and encourage others to pray too.
- Act quickly!!! A veto override could be attempted as early as next week.
Remember: With God’s help and his grace, you can make the difference!