New fetal pain abortion law goes into effect
by
Rachel Lake
Story Created:
Oct 15, 2010 at 6:45 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Oct 15, 2010 at 6:45 PM CDT
Pro–life supporters celebrate a new Nebraska law - legislation that bans abortions after twenty weeks of pregnancy. While pro–choice groups like Planned Parenthood call it a bad law for women.
The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Actor or LB 1103 passed Nebraska Legislature last April.
It took effect Friday. The basis for this bill is fetal pain.
Previous state law banned abortions after about 22 weeks of pregnancy–a standard set by the 1972 Roe v. Wade ruling.
Now, abortions are banned after 20 weeks.
Pro–life supporters said this is just one step towards abolishing abortion all together.
"God has his purpose for every human being that he creates," said Marcia Reining.
That's why Marcia Reining began fighting abortion rights thirty years ago and continues to this day. She considers the passage and implementation of LB 1103 a win for her cause.
"I hope that it is just the beginning of people waking up and realizing what's happening to our unborn children," Reining said.
In 2005, about nine abortions occurred per 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the state of Nebraska. That's about half the national rate.
An area gynecologist, who requested his name not be revealed, said abortions after 20 weeks are rare in Nebraska. And that LB–1103 probably affects few people.
But for Reining, any life is worth fighting for.
"The child in the womb, their nerve receptors are not well established and so when they feel pain it is a more gruesome pain than a fully developed baby," said Reining.
Planned Parenthood refused an interview on the bill, but released this statement:
"Planned Parenthood of the Heartland believes that LB1103 is a bad law for women. We will however, continue to serve the health and well–being of women within the confines of this regulation."
It is a regulation that ignites passionate opinions on both sides of the debate.
On the federal level, Senator Mike Johanns has reintroduced a bill in Congress that would require women seeking abortions after twenty weeks to be informed of fetal pain and allow them to request anesthesia for the fetus.
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