There’s a reason I don’t like calling abortion advocates “pro-choice.”
A lot of them aren’t.
Former New York City mayor and Planned Parenthood fan Michael Bloomberg sure isn’t. From soda to guns, he’s spent years trying to limit people’s choices. Granted, a female employee of his did recall Bloomberg supporting her choice to have an abortion–whether she wanted one or not.
Some Illinois politicians don’t like choice either. Under legislation they voted for last week, medical providers (including those in pregnancy care centers) must “transfer” or “refer” patients seeking abortion and other services. Alternatively, providers will be forced to inform patients of “other health care providers who they reasonably believe may offer the health care service.”
But it’s not just health care professionals who are being denied choice, something Matt Bowman, senior legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) pointed out:
This Amendment takes away the rights of Illinois women to be treated by a pro-life doctor, because it would force medical facilities and physicians who conscientiously object to performing abortions (and other procedures) to refer for, make arrangements for someone else to perform, or arrange referral information that lists willing providers, for abortions. By violating the pro-life principles of pro-life physicians and medical organizations, the Amendment would deprive Illinois women of their choice of a medical provider that does not refer or arrange for abortions in any way.
Studies show many women are pressured into abortions, with some facing fatal violence when they refuse. Further, the abortion lobby has derided laws to protect women from coercion as “not needed.”
Given these facts, it’s not surprising pro-abortion lawmakers don’t mind coercing health care providers and their patients. However, just because something is predictable, it doesn’t mean we have to keep quiet about it.
Tell Gov. Bruce Rauner to stand for choice and veto Senate Bill 1564. Because we need laws to stop coercion–not inflict it.
