US states’ pro-life legislation in 2012 deemed historic

Last updated on: January 19, 2013 at 12:10 am by CNA Daily News

US states’ pro-life legislation in 2012 deemed historic 2013-01-19T00:10:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Washington D.C., Jan 18, 2013 / 05:10 pm (CNA).- A new report finding “significant victories for life” in state-level legislation during 2012 has left a leading U.S. pro-life group hopeful about the coming year.

“More than half of states have pro-life governors and pro-life majorities in their legislatures,” said Dan McConchie, vice president of state legislative action for Americans United for Life, “so we expect pro-life advances to replicate the high levels of success in the past couple of years across the country.”

McConchie told CNA that he expects to see “continued interest in restraining abortion coverage” in the new health care law throughout 2013, as well as “late term abortion bans, regulation of abortion-inducing drugs, and clinic regulations.”

On Jan. 16, Americans United for Life released its annual “Life List,” ranking all 50 states according to their ongoing legal efforts to protect life.

The 2013 list observed that the past year had seen “historic progress for life-affirming legislation” throughout the country.

“Last year, at least 60 new life-affirming laws, including at least 38 measures related to abortion, were enacted,” the report said. “Additionally, 16 pro-life state resolutions were adopted.”

Americans United for Life has worked for years to model and help enact language for pro-life legislation in states throughout the country.

Dr. Charmaine Yoest, president and CEO of the organization, said the state-level successes lay “the foundation for rolling back and reversing Roe v. Wade,” the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion nationally 40 years ago.

She predicted that the coming year will see numerous bills “that also work to protect the First Amendment Freedom of all Americans who do not want to be forced into business with Big Abortion.”

The “Life List” found that the most legislatively pro-life states in America are Louisiana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Arizona, while Washington state, California, New York, Vermont and New Jersey are the least protective of life.

Most improved in 2012 was Arizona, which rose to number 5 on the list from number 14 the previous year. This was partly due to the adoption of the “Women’s Health Protection Act,” which bans abortions after 20 weeks gestation based on medical evidence of the danger that such abortions pose to women’s health, as well as the unborn child’s capacity to feel pain.

In addition, South Carolina became the eighth state to pass legislation banning insurance plans that cover abortion from participating in any exchanges operating in the state under the health care reform law.

Among the most popular abortion-related legislation in 2012 were bans on government and insurance funding for abortion and restrictions on drugs that can induce early abortions. Ultrasound requirements, abortion clinic regulations and informed consent laws were also common.

Americans United for Life also noted a nearly 40 percent rise in the number of measures initiated to protect freedom of conscience in healthcare, as well as a significant increase in end-of-life measures.

However, the group said, 2012 saw a nearly 50 percent decrease in biotechnology measures from the previous year, with only two states considering bans on embryo-destroying research and none initiating bans on human cloning.

The report observed that many of the least pro-life states on the list have had a state court “manufacture” a constitutional “right” to abortion beyond what is federally recognized. Others have enacted legislation that effectively blocks laws and regulations that would protect women and unborn children from abortion.

“For those states that have the least protective laws, the priority really should be the basic protections, especially informed consent and parental involvement,” said McConchie. “Women considering abortion deserve both information and support before they make a monumental decision of this nature.”

Previous Post

January 18, 2013

Colombian bishop indignant over murder of priest

Next Post

January 19, 2013 Lila Rose highlights role of faith in fighting abortion

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who helped Jesus carry His cross?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Simon of Cyrene Judas Peter John