Mississippi just took another blow to abortion rights when Gov. Phil Bryant signed a 15-week abortion ban into law, making it the earliest of its kind in the country. Mother Jones reports:
The law outlaws abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, and the only exceptions are in cases where the mother’s life is in danger or there is a fetal abnormality that is “incompatible with life.” Senators rejected an amendment that would have made exceptions for victims of rape or incest. Sen. Joey Fillingane (R-Sumrall) said such exceptions wouldn’t be necessary since women who become pregnant as a result of rape or incest would get an abortion right away because “you know immediately that you have been the victim of rape or incest.”
“Those things happen very quickly,” he told Mississippi Today.
Mississippi was already home to strict anti-choice laws. Before today, the ban started at 20 weeks. Other restrictions included banning telemedicine for medical abortions, a mandatory ultrasound and offer to view the photo, and a 24-hour waiting period.
It’s unfortunate lawmakers don’t prioritize helping Mississippi's residents instead of creating onerous laws. The state has the country’s highest rates of infant mortality. Perhaps they should start legislating on how to fix that first.
Tuesday, Mar 20, 2018 · 4:52:12 PM +00:00
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Wagatwe Wanjuki
That was fast! A federal judge just blocked the law from going into effect (for now). The Washington Post reports:
U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves on Tuesday granted a temporary restraining order requested by the state’s only abortion clinic. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1510 on Monday, and it became law immediately.
Dr. Sacheen Carr-Ellis of the Jackson Women’s Health Organization said in court papers filed Monday that a woman 15 weeks or more pregnant was scheduled for a Tuesday afternoon abortion.