On June 5, 2021, the North Carolina Legislature successfully enacted an abortion ban despite Governor Roy Cooper’s veto. The bill, known as the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” requires doctors to provide medical care to a fetus that survives an abortion attempt. The legislation also imposes criminal penalties on doctors who fail to provide such care.
The bill was first introduced in 2019 but failed to pass both chambers of the legislature. However, in 2021, Republicans gained enough seats in the legislature to override Governor Cooper’s veto. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 30-20 and the House with a vote of 67-42.
Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to protect the lives of babies who survive abortion attempts. They claim that some doctors do not provide adequate medical care to these infants, leading to their deaths. They also argue that the bill does not restrict access to abortion but rather ensures that babies who survive the procedure receive proper medical attention.
Opponents of the bill, including Governor Cooper, argue that it is unnecessary and could harm women’s health. They claim that doctors already have a legal and ethical obligation to provide medical care to any patient who needs it, including infants who survive abortion attempts. They also argue that the bill could discourage doctors from performing abortions out of fear of criminal prosecution.
The passage of this bill in North Carolina is part of a larger trend of states enacting restrictive abortion laws. In recent years, several states have passed laws banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy or even earlier. These laws have been challenged in court, with some being struck down as unconstitutional.
The North Carolina law is also likely to face legal challenges. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already announced plans to challenge the law in court. They argue that it violates the constitutional right to abortion established by the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Roe v. Wade.
In conclusion, the North Carolina Legislature’s successful enactment of an abortion ban despite Governor Cooper’s veto is a significant development in the ongoing debate over abortion rights. Supporters of the bill argue that it protects the lives of babies who survive abortion attempts, while opponents argue that it is unnecessary and could harm women’s health. The law is likely to face legal challenges, and its ultimate fate will be decided by the courts.
