OPED, "STICK TO FACTS IN ABORTION DEBATE," BY JOAN MALIN, METRO, (2/15/08)

As the Presidential candidates battle over issues including reproductive freedom we are reminded that, regardless of what happens in November, the Bush administration has left a disturbing anti-choice legacy. With a Supreme Court stacked against women's health and various abortion restrictions percolating in the states, we must take steps to protect New Yorkers.
 
Many people have the perception that New York is a bastion of reproductive freedom.  But while New York was one of the first states to legalize abortion in 1970, much has changed over the past three and a half decades and our once groundbreaking law is out of date and in need of reform.  In light of increasing erosion of existing protections for safe and legal abortion at the federal level, we must act immediately to ensure that women's rights and health are protected.
 
The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act (RHPPA) was introduced to protect a woman's fundamental right to control her own reproductive health and to ensure that she will be able to have an abortion if her life or health is endangered at any point in her pregnancy.
 
Unfortunately, there is a vocal minority who oppose a woman's right to safe, legal reproductive health care and they have begun a campaign of disinformation on this important piece of legislation.  Two of their most virulent and misleading lies are that 1) this Act would allow unlicensed, unqualified individuals (such as podiatrists and dentists) to perform abortions and 2) it would allow a woman to have an abortion at any point in pregnancy for any reason.
 
The first is just a disingenuous public relations stunt.  RHPPA specifically requires that abortions be performed by "qualified, licensed" healthcare practitioners. Implicit in the word "qualified" is the requirement that the licensed healthcare practitioner have training in providing abortions or abortion-related care. In addition, provision of abortion without proper training or licensing could lead to criminal penalties and/or medical misconduct charges.
 
The second is just wrong.  RHPPA would not change current practice, but would simply clarify our state law to incorporate the protections currently afforded by Roe  v. Wade .  Moreover, the reality is that over 90% of abortions are performed during the first trimester of pregnancy. Post-viability abortions (after the 24th week, the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb) are not only very rare but -- as indicated by Roe v. Wade -- only legal in the difficult circumstances when a woman's life or health is threatened or the fetus has no chance of surviving. 
 
Planned Parenthood strongly supports this bill. 
 
Joan Malin is President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of New York City.