2013 Statement of Opposition
The “Women’s Equality Act” (WEA): Program Bill 9
Governor Cuomo’s so-called Women’s Equality Act is a Trojan Horse— a beautifully gift-wrapped package of death and destruction that goes far beyond Roe v. Under Roe, the Supreme Court has upheld the rights of states to enact regulations that protect women, underage girls, late-term children, health care providers and t
he state’s citizens and prospective citizens. WEA would repeal the very few protections in New York State Statute and expand abortion in the state that already has the highest level of induced abortion in the nation. WEA allows anyone to perform an abortion
Current law states that only a duly licensed physician may perform an abortion. WEA would eliminate medical standards on viability
Supreme Court precedent holds that determining the viability of babies is left entirely to the abortionists’ discretion. Allowing abortionists to determine the viability of babies is a major conflict of interest that should be remedied— not enshrined in New York State law. WEA allows for abortion until the moment of birth
Currently, babies in the womb are protected in New York State law after 24 weeks (Article 125 Penal Law), except to save the mother’s life. This bill would repeal that law and insert a "health" exception, broadly interpreted by the courts to include age, economic, social and emotional factors, rather than the common biological definition of “health” that comes to mind. If the governor succeeds in his attempt, third trimester abortion will become commonplace in New York State. This will expand abortion and increase the already staggering death toll. WEA offers no clear conscience protections
The term healthcare provider is not defined. The bill says nothing about protecting those who oppose referring or counseling for abortions – even third trimester abortions. WEA promotes death
If a mother’s health or life is at risk in the third trimester and she needs to end her pregnancy, the standard procedure is a C-section, which takes minutes and results in a newborn baby. No one has to die. A third trimester abortion takes days, endangering a mother’s life and resulting in a dead baby. WEA fails to address New York’s abortion epidemic
According to the Centers for Disease Control, New York already has the highest level of induced abortion in the nation. In 2009, 119,996 of New York’s children lost their lives to induced abortion. Approximately 40% of pregnancies in New York City end in abortion. Among African Americans in New York City, that number climbs to 60%. In short, New York does not need more abortion. If anything, we need to address the underlying issues that make women feel like they have no other choice than to end the lives of their children.
