This week, the Minnesota House approved a pair of common sense provisions dealing with protecting women’s health along with protecting the taxpayers when it comes to funding abortions.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, taxpayer funded abortions has grown to 43.3 percent of all abortions performed in the state. A House bill approved on April 24 would prohibit funding for abortions from state-sponsored health programs that are administered by the Department of Human Services.
Minnesotans don’t believe their tax dollars should be spent on funding abortions. Currently, there are 33 other states and the federal government who have this measure in place, so the measure isn’t as controversial as some believe it is.
I spoke on the House floor about why I supported this bill. To hear my comments, click here.
The second bill requires any clinic that performs ten or more abortions each month to be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health, and that licensed facilities must comply with all inspections.
With this bill, we are asking the State of Minnesota to assure women who choose to have an abortion that they are being treated by licensed physicians, that they’ll be cared for by licensed nurses, will utilize equipment that has been properly cleaned and sterilized, and that emergency provisions are in place for unforeseen circumstances, such as uncontrolled bleeding or other life threatening situations.
For comparisons sake, let’s recognize that Minnesota mandates license requirements on tattoo parlors and barber shops. Let’s also note that 25 other states require licensing, inspections and regulations of abortion clinics.
This bill in no way makes abortion illegal or limits access, but rather ensures that these facilities meet certain industry health and safety standards to protect women. Like any medical procedure, there are health risks and information that must be shared with the patient by their provider. This bill is about protecting and standing up for the well-being of women.
To hear my House floor comments on this proposal, click here.
The goal is to make womens’ health and safety a top priority. Requiring facilities performing abortions to be inspected regularly, licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health and to meet safety, sanitary and health standards does just that.
As always, I am interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Kathy.Lohmer@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-4244. You can also send mail to my office address: 501 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.