Doctors Performing Abortions Could Be Sentenced to Three Years Jail Time
A bill passed today in the Oklahoma Legislature would make performing an abortion a felony, carrying a penalty of up to three years in prison. The measure, which passed 33-12 with no debate, would also prevent any doctor who has performed an abortion from obtaining or renewing their medical license. Oklahoma anti-abortion Republican Gov. Mary Fallin hasn’t indicated if she will sign it into law, the AP reports.
Should the bill become law, it would stand as one of the most aggressive anti-abortion measures in recent memory, and would almost certainly be quickly challenged in court as unconstitutional. Oklahoma GOP Senator Nathan Dahm, who introduced the measure, hopes the law could eventually help overturn Roe v. Wade.
Governor Fallin has signed anti-abortion legislation in the past. Earlier this month, Fallin signed House Bill 1409, requiring a 72 hour waiting period prior to performing abortions. In April, she signed a bill banning a common method of second trimester abortions.
Indeed, Fallin takes great pride in her anti-abortion record. Her official campaign website boasts that the Governor has signed “every pro-life measure that came to her desk, including a bill to to prohibit abortion after 20 weeks when the child is proved to be viable and can live outside the womb; a bill to prevent standard health insurance policies from covering abortion; and a bill requiring physicians to be present when RU-486 (an abortion drug) is taken.”
The Oklahoma State Medical Association opposes the measure, saying in a statement, “Legislation like this obstructs the safe provision of high quality medical care for women. Health care decisions should be made jointly by patients and their trusted health care providers – not by politicians who lack medical training and who clearly do not have women’s best interests in mind.”
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