1

WOMENS RIGHT TO KNOW –JULY 28, 2011

We discussed this bill in depth earlier in the session so I won’t go into the specifics

again today.

But in general terms, This bill requires that women receive a consultation with a

doctor, are given information on alternatives to abortion, are offered an ultrasound,

and are given a 24-hour waiting period before having an abortion.

I have learned in my brief time in the legislature, as the President has pointed out

on at least one occasion, that our long, eloquent floor speeches rarely change the

result of a vote, so I won’t debate all the merits of this bill. But I would like to

make a couple of comparisons to current laws that we have on the books in North

Carolina that have waiting periods.

-Divorce: A person who wants to file a petition for divorce has to wait one

year after separation before they can seek a divorce.

Why? Because we value the institution of marriage and we want to see

couples work things out and stay together, and a one year waiting period can

help facilitate reconcilation.

-Home Refinance Loans: If you want to refinance your house you have to

wait three days from the time you sign the loan documents before the loan

becomes final, and money is disbursed. The attorney is required to give the

borrower 3 copies of a form that would allow them to cancel the transaction

for the next 72 hours.

2

Why? Because we don’t want lenders taking advantage of homeowners, and

we want homeowners to take the time to consider whether they want to put

their homes at risk by taking out their equity.

- One year to get a divorce, three days to refinance your house. 24 hours to

terminate a life.

If the one year waiting period saves a marriage, if the 3 day waiting period prevents

a bad financial decision, I think those of this in this room would agree that these

laws served their purposes, and that the waiting periods were worth the

inconvenience.

And if a 24 hour waiting period saves one life, I would hope that all of us here

would likewise agree that any inconvenience to doctor or patient was also worth it,

and was insignificant. Because Every life has dignity and value, and every person

bears the mark of almighty God.

This bill does not take away a woman's access to abortion, but rather ensures that

she will have the tools necessary to make a truly informed decision.

It is not an attack on personal freedom, but a guarantee of it. Because It safeguards

her right to know and to make an informed decision.

There is no downside to providing pregnant women with more information at a

time when they are considering an abortion?

We know that this bill will save lives. Almost 3000 a year in fact.

3

So if you believe that abortion should be safe, legal, and rare, there is no reason not

to support this bill. It’s still a woman’s choice. It is her informed choice. Life is

at stake, and I urge your support of this motion.

4

Doctor patient-privilege

During debate on this bill back in June, one of the primary arguments against the

bill was that it violates the doctor/patient relationship.

Currently, most women seeking an abortion do not do so through their private

family doctors, but rather through abortion clinics.

Abortion clinics are not required to have a patient consult with the doctor before

scheduling an abortion and many women see the doctor for the first time when

they are already on the operating table.

The “Woman’s Choice” abortion clinic in Raleigh advertises “same day

appointments” and makes sure that women know that cash, major credit cards and

debit cards are accepted.

A local woman who was curious about how much doctor interaction was available

to patients seeking an abortion so I called a Woman’s Choice center to schedule

the procedure. They informed me that I could come that same day and wouldn’t

have to talk to anyone before my appointment; I could be “in and out.”

Regardless of your stance on abortion, this is not right. No woman or young girl

should be able to have an abortion without a doctor consult. This is a decision and

medical procedure that she will live with for the rest of her life; meanwhile

abortion clinics treat patients as if they were customers at a drive-thru fast food

restaurant.

This bill cannot violate the doctor/patient relationship because there is no

doctor/patient relationship to speak of under the typical abortion procedure.