Tighter abortion restrictions clear Senate

[mnhtnbb]

Source: WRAL.com

Raleigh, N.C. — With the gallery packed by abortion rights supporters and a protest waged outside the Legislative Building, the state Senate on Wednesday gave its blessing to a series of abortion restrictions.

The bill, which originally prohibited the recognition of foreign law, such as Islamic Sharia law, in family courts, was overhauled Tuesday with little public notice and converted into an omnibus bill titled the Family, Faith and Freedom Protection Act by adding the contents of various anti-abortion legislation pending in the General Assembly.

<snip>

Under the legislation, abortion clinics would have to meet the same standards as ambulatory surgical centers. Abortion providers also would have to be present with the patient throughout the procedure, whether surgical or drug-induced. Also, abortion clinics would have to have "transfer agreements" with nearby hospitals, which are roughly equivalent to the hospital granting the physicians admitting privileges.

Only one of the 36 abortion clinics now in North Carolina would be able to meet the new requirements, according to advocates.

Read more: http://www.wral.com/tighter-abortion-restrictions-clear-senate/12623666/

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I watched the debate on the floor of the NC Senate via live feed from WRAL.

As a retired hospital administrator I know what upgrading standards (for clinics offering abortions) to standards applied to ambulatory surgical centers will do: raise the cost of providing abortions. Women are increasingly being denied insurance coverage for abortions. Raise the costs and raise the prices and facilities will go out of business--or choose not to offer abortions--and safe, legal abortions will once again be available only to those women who have resources. The disingenuousness of the Republicans on this issue is unbelievable. Do they really all need a lesson in economics? Or do they just need a shot of truth serum before they take the floor to spout their lies about 'safety'?

[onehandle]

1. Ladies of 'merica, Are you paying attention? Will you vote in 2014? nt

[mnhtnbb]

2. In spite of the attempt to push this through with little notice, there were hundreds

of people present--in the gallery and outside--protesting this bill.

The Republicans in NC have been relentless in pushing their tea party
agenda.

I promise to be on the front lines, registering people to vote, driving
people who will need voter id's to get them, driving people to the polls, in 2014.

[OneAngryDemocrat]

3. DENY THE BASTARDS A QUORUM!!!

New Mexico is nice this time of year.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. So many of these recent state bills sound very similar.

Was all of this legislation written by ALEC?

[freshwest]

7. Yes. All states have legislators who attend ALEC meetings put their bills forth simultaneously.

The Koch brothers are having their way while the crowd looks at the new shiny thing the media is putting out for them. And it's not just in the USA, there are groups that advocate lousy things that have international ties as well. It is one world and the standards we set here affect others. Or lack of them...

[BlancheSplanchnik]

8. I'm enraged!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023159844

[freshwest]

9. Thanks, have gone to K & R.

[duffyduff]

10. The "social issues" take people's attention away from the fact

the financial elites are stealing from them blind.

[freshwest]

12. Social issues that mean economic ruin on people's lives are economic issues, too. And vice versa.

It is nothing less than a push for feudalistic rule. We cannot avoid fighting on all fronts just because these issues don't matter to some.

The push to deny women health care is a major economic issue for them, their families and if it's not someone else's problem, they can go forth and ignore. The issue of same sex marriage is an economic one for those who need those protections.

These are the issues that the 'bankster' crowd don't see as 'shiny' enough to matter. Because that's the hate du jour.

It ALL matters. What is done to the flesh is a permanent thing for the rest of one's life. And the elite are not doing this stuff, it's the people that are at the same level. That's who is gonna enforce feudalism and that's who those who focus on the 'banksters' alone are afraid to yell at and change.

None of this applies to you specifically, I'm speaking to movements that just don't seem to feel that object rape by the state and a society that murders people for being different, is a big deal. That's as permanent as taking away the VRA.

[highplainsdem]

11. This legislation is coming from a group allied with ALEC. See this topic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023163881

for more info on Americans United for Life, which Joy Reid said tonight is behind the NC legislation and other bills.

[AlbertCat]

5. Legislature of REVENGE!

See, we here in NC voted for Obama the 1st time and just barely lost (after much ado and much money by repugs)voting for him the last time.

We are now being punished.

No one is governing the state. Just jumping on pet peeves with no regard to citizens. That'll show you!


The race to the bottom continueth apace!

[mnhtnbb]

6. I've already sent a LTE to the Raleigh News & Observer.

Not optimistic they'll publish it. Called the Republicans disingenuous; in need of economics lesson;
in need of truth serum prior to debate on floor of the Senate. On the other hand, I haven't sent
them a letter in quite some time. Plus, I included my credentials as a retired hospital administrator.
So, maybe a 30% chance of it being published.