What's your Abortion Policy?

[Indy Texas 🇺🇦🇵🇸]

As with most constitutionally protected rights, I support a woman's right to an abortion and the right of government at various levels to regulate it in prudent ways.

When you're dealing with a medical issue, it's important that those regulations be reflective of and responsive to scientific and medical developments.

During the first push to legalize abortion in the early and mid-20th century, there was no reliable form of birth control that women could utilize (they were at the mercy of men choosing to use condoms or choosing to "pull out" at the right time). Prenatal diagnostics were limited; it wasn't possible to detect fetal abnormalities until very late in the pregnancy or after birth. Childbirth itself was far riskier to the mother.

We don't live in that world anymore. While I am not morally opposed to abortion on demand with no restrictions, I don't think it is necessary anymore from the perspective of protecting women's health and choices as to whether to continue a pregnancy to term. An abortion policy that balances preserving the choices of women and families with whatever "public interest" exists in placing limits on abortion access is one that will not place a family in the position of having their right to an abortion limited before the family has all of the information needed to make that choice.

The problem with the current crop of abortion restrictions popping up is that they limit the procedure at a time when many serious fetal abnormalities cannot be detected and possibly to a time when a woman will not even be aware she is pregnant. This places a burden on all women, but especially on poor women who are less likely to be getting routine check-ups that would bring this to their attention.

I also believe anti-choice legislators who feel there is a compelling public interest in limiting abortion should be required to make a comparable public investment in addressing the consequences of unwanted children being born. These would include resources for foster care and adoption; more spending on early childcare; and more spending on education and healthcare for children with physical and mental disabilities.

I also believe in a comprehensive family planning policy that acknowledges that the best way to avoid abortion is to avoid pregnancy, and that society is healthier economically and socially when women and families can control their reproductive health and not have more children than is sustainable for them or for society.