After the State of Ohio passed a 20 week ban on abortion, the Commonwealth of Virginia is looking to follow suit. We need to remind lawmakers in Virginia, that there is currently a constitutional obligation to uphold women's right to choose to at least 24 weeks. Moreover, the bill proposed in Virginia would only allow exceptions if carrying the fetus to term, is detrimental to the woman's health. It completely ignores the individual health status of women, instances of rape, incest, mental illness, the right to choose, etc.

The ban proposed in House Bill 1473, would criminalize health care that is critically-needed and constitutionally protected. Outrageously, the bill proposes imprisoning health care providers for up to ten years and fines up to $100,000 just for providing such care to patients. Banning necessary health care interferes with and obstructs the provider-patient relationship. Politicians are not medical experts and this is not an area where politicians should be interfering.

Finally, we need to urge legislators to oppose House Bill 1473, an unconstitutional and dangerous limitation on abortion that puts women’s health and rights at risk. I believe that all women should be able to make their own decisions with advice and support from those they trust the most. We know that women look to doctors, family members, and other trusted individuals, not politicians, to make important medical decisions about their health.

Here is a link to the proposed bill that will be voted on in January 2017. VA House Bill 1473

Thank you.