A Senate committee Monday passed an abortion bill that would cut by six weeks the time women may have an elective abortion.
Commonly referred to as a "fetal pain" bill, House Bill 954 would tighten medical exemptions for terminating pregnancies and require any abortion performed after 20 weeks of pregnancy be done in a way to bring the fetus out alive. The measure says that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks, therefore the state has an interest in protecting it.
The bill has been the subject of intense lobbying efforts by women's health advocates and doctors groups, who are trying to change or defeat it.
Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford, chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Committee, allowed the bill to pass on a close voice vote, refusing Democratic attempts to recount the votes individually.
Supporters of the bill say it would save lives and protect fetuses.
Opponents said the bill would legislate decisions that should be made by doctors, that it would force women to carry to term fetuses that would be stillborn because of medical problems and would put doctors at risk who work with difficult pregnancies. Doctors who are involved in abortions after 20 weeks that do not meet the bill's restrictions could be charged with a felony and face up to 10 years in prison.
A standing-room-only crowd that appeared largely opposed to the measure turned out for Monday's hearing. Hundreds had packed similar hearings in the House when HB 954 was under consideration in that chamber.
HB 954's sponsor, Rep. Doug McKillip, R-Athens, said the measure would stop a "barbaric practice."
He also said that the bill is not about politics, but rather about discussion -- and possible agreement -- on when life begins.
Several individuals on both sides testified Monday.
Dan Becker, president of Georgia Right to Life, warned that opposing the bill could give credence to "the rise of a new eugenics effort in America." Dr. Kathleen Raviele, an obstetrician/gynecologist who is in private practice, said fetuses older than 20 weeks have "a reasonable chance of survival outside the womb."
Conversely, Dr. Anne Patterson, who practices maternal fetal medicine, said medical experts widely believe fetuses do not fully develop connections related to pain until about 28 weeks. L. Lynn Hogue, an emeritus law professor at Georgia State University, said the U.S. Supreme Court has found repeatedly that a fetus' "viability means the capability of meaningful life outside the mother's womb." The bill, he said, flies in the face of that definition.
HB 954 is not the only bill under consideration during this legislative session related to abortion. Senate Bill 438, which would ban state employee health insurance plans from offering coverage for abortion services, is now being considered by a House committee. Its passage in the Senate earlier this month caused several female Democratic lawmakers to walk out in protest.
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