Abortion bill is bad, not misunderstood
On April 19th Julie Sass wrote an article entitled "Abortion Bill is Misunderstood."Let the record be clear that both the Illinois House of Representatives and the people of Illinois understand that if this bill were ever to become law in Illinois it would be bad for families for people of faith and for people who simply believe that doctors and nurses should not be forced to participate in abortions or dispense contraceptives against their will.
The latest Harris Poll agrees as 76% say they want laws that protect doctors and nurses from being forced to perform abortions that go against their conscience.
House Bill 2354 seeks to make abortion a fundamental right thus preventing any common sense restrictions like simply informing parents that their daughters are considering having an abortion. Again the same Harris Poll says that 73% of Americans support parental involvement laws.
The wording of this bill means that this bill would trump any other law, agency rule or regulations. That means that any health care professional who objects to being involved with abortion or dispensing of contraceptives must provide the patient with timely, accurate and complete information about the patient's care options in a balanced and professional manner.
How does a pro-life doctor give "balanced" information about abortion? What is balanced? Is it balanced to say "abortion is killing a human being"? Is it balanced to tell the patient about the humanity of the unborn child?
In addition, the health care professional must find someone willing to help the patient obtain the abortion or contraceptive. Failure to comply can result in health care professionals losing their licenses.
There is a reason the sponsors of this act killed it for this year. They received tens of thousands of e-mails, phone calls, petitions, etc. from the people who understood how dangerous it was to people of faith, family or to anyone who simply believes that we have a personal right of conscience.
Ms. Sass believes the Illinois legislature has a right to cram anti-life and anti-family legislation down our throat. Apparently the people disagree and are speaking up by the thousands and the legislators are listening.
Larry O'Neill
Palatine