Remember the terribly tragic story of Savita Halappanavar who was refused an abortion at a hospital in Ireland, and died because of it? Some legislators in Michigan evidently think refusing abortion in such cases is not only acceptable, but should not even bring any punishment on the hospital. Michigan Senate Bill 975 passed the Senate last week – when they locked the public out of the state capitol – and is scheduled to be considered in a House committee this morning. It would allow a hospital to let a pregnant woman die, without risking its license or a lawsuit or even a fine.
Remember the terribly tragic story of Savita Halappanavar who was refused an abortion at a hospital in Ireland, and died because of it? Some legislators in Michigan evidently think refusing abortion in such cases is not only acceptable, but should not even bring any punishment on the hospital.
Michigan Senate Bill 975 passed the Senate last week – when they locked the public out of the state capitol – and is scheduled to be considered in a House committee this morning. It would allow a hospital to let a pregnant woman die, without risking its license or a lawsuit or even a fine.
As awful as the bill would be for women in Savita’s situation, the bill is so broad it could reach all kinds of situations. It could allow:
- A pharmacy to refuse to fill women’s prescriptions for contraception
- A nurse working in a clinic to refuse an HIV or STI test to a patient
- A nursing home staffer to refuse to refer a patient interested in end of life care
This terrible bill must not go forward. It’s time to stop putting politics ahead of people’s health and lives.