FACT CHECK: So-Called “Born Alive” is Another Lie To Stigmatize Abortion

Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a deceptive bill that is nothing more than a contrived scare tactic used to stigmatize abortion. Jacqueline Ayers, the senior vice president of policy, organizing, and campaigns at Planned Parenthood Federation of America set the record straight:

“This bill is deliberately misleading and offensive to pregnant people and the doctors and nurses who provide their care. It is yet another attempt by anti-abortion politicians to spread misinformation as a means to their warped political end: to ban safe and legal abortion.

“Let’s be clear: Doctors are already required to provide appropriate medical care by law. This is not how medical care works. It’s wrong, irresponsible, and dangerous to suggest otherwise.”

This is not a new bill or tactic. Anti-abortion members have introduced this and similar disingenuous legislation every Congress for nearly a decade.

The Facts:

The American Medical Association “strongly condemn(s) any interference by the government or other third parties that causes a physician to compromise his or her medical judgment as to what information or treatment is in the best interest of the patient.”
Deceptive, so-called “Born Alive” bills are an anti-abortion tactic that make up a problem that doesn’t exist. Doctors already have an obligation to provide appropriate medical care.
Voters in Montana rejected a ballot referendum about similar efforts in November.
House members acknowledge that this will not pass in the Senate and know anti-abortion legislation is unpopular with the American people.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.