The Abortion Access Committee of Adirondack Voters for Change was formed in the fall of 2021 after Texas passed SB8, the law that outlaws abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

The law incentivizes any private citizen to sue people they believe are helping a pregnant person obtain an abortion for a potential court award of $10,000. As a result of this law and restrictive laws in other states, AAC established a goal to help people access a safe, legal abortion no matter where they live.

After Roe v. Wade was overturned on June 24, 2022 by the Supreme Court, numerous (13) states enacted laws poised to be triggered immediately by that decision. Other states had already passed laws severely restricting access to abortion. Most of these laws result in felony charges, with imprisonment of health care providers providing the abortion, if convicted. The new laws are undergoing almost daily injunctions, lifting of the injunctions, federal pre-emption and counter suits. Malpractice suits are sure to follow. How is it possible to know what to do?

At least six states introduced laws that give the fertilized egg personhood, granting it the same rights you and I share. One result is the possibility of criminalization of pregnancy, giving the state the power to monitor and regulate the behaviors of the pregnant person including fining and/or imprisoning her if the court determines her actions threaten the fetus.

A “state-by-state analysis by public health professionals shows that states with the most restrictive abortion policies also continue to invest the least in women’s and children’s health.” (Dobbs vs Jackson Women’s Health decision overturning Roe, Dissent p.42.) Mississippi ranks lowest.

Data confirms birth control and sex education are both proven to reduce unwanted pregnancy and abortion but are resisted mightily by “pro-life” groups.

Rape, incest, or life of the mother are often noted as “acceptable” if not “good” reasons to make an exception to restrictive legislation. Everybody has a values-based opinion about the range of reasons for choosing an abortion throughout pregnancy. The reasons are highly personal, private and unique, and they are the woman’s alone. To make exceptions demeans the infinite and valid choices of others and implies that there are good abortions and bad abortions.

Pregnancy complications occur often (miscarriages, ectopics, uterine rupture, etc) and can endanger the mother’s life. If a heartbeat is still detectable, care may be withheld or delayed. Delay in care is medically unethical, a violation of the Hippocratic Oath doctors take upon graduation and is malpractice. The provider must struggle between potential malpractice charges vs criminal charges. The provider will face inevitable accompanying publicity and harassment. A wide net of confusing restrictions, digital surveillance and armed vigilantes on the move will not discriminate between “pro-life” and pro-choice women who experience pregnancy complications. All need timely and compassionate care, not suspicious looks and delay.

In vitro fertilization for treatment of infertility or for fertility preservation (for example, in a woman who needs chemotherapy which will destroy or damage eggs) is in jeopardy. More eggs are gathered and stored than may ever be used. This is because the success rate for successful fertilization of thawed eggs resulting in a live birth is low and repeated attempts are often necessary. Implantation of a lot of fertilized embryos can result in risky multiple births. If the courts conclude that fertilized eggs are people, eggs cannot be discarded let alone ever collected, jeopardizing this highly valued treatment.

The punitive, cruel, multi-pronged attack on women is glaring and is called misogyny (“dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women”).

Many states, New York included, are considered “safe” states as they recognize and respect the right of people to assess their ability and desire to have a child at this time. However, New Yorkers cannot assume that these rights will continue without vigilance and advocacy to institutionalize these protections in the New York state constitution.

The Abortion Access Committee reminds us that we are the majority. We can make a difference:

1. Help support pregnant people obtain the care they need by donating to one or more of the following organizations and support the expansion and security of abortion care in safe states:

¯ Abortion Funds: https://abortionfunds.org

¯ ACLU: www.aclu.org

¯ AidAccess: https://aidaccess.org/en

¯ ARC Southeast: https://arc-southeast.org

¯ Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline: www.mahotline.org

¯ NYCLU: www.nyclu.org

¯ Plan C: https://www.plancpills.org

¯ Planned Parenthood Federation of America: www.plannedparenthood.org

¯ PPNCNY (Planned Parenthood of the North Country NY serving Watertown, Lowville, Canton, Ogdensburg, Malone, Saranac Lake and Plattsburgh) www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-north-country-new-york

¯ Reproductive Health Access Project: www.reproductiveaccess.org/about

2. Vote for candidates — at every level of government — that support a person’s right to make decisions about their own body.

3. Run for office yourself.

4. Join Adirondack Voters for Change or sign up for their newsletter at https://adkvotersforchange.org to keep abreast and participate in activities that you are aligned with.

5. Attend screening of the award-winning French film, “Happening,” on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Lake Flower Landing at 7 p.m. Panel discussion to follow. Panelists are Dr. Eve Burns, Dr. James Pate, Tess Barker, CEO, Planned Parenthood of the North Country NY. Make a reservation at vfc2014ny@gmail.com, seating is limited, masks required. Suggested donation $10.

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Dr. Dorothy S. Federman lives in Saranac Lake. She submitted this commentary on behalf of Adirondack Voters for Change’s Abortion Access Committee.

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Sources

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https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2022/06/13-states-have-abortion-trigger-bans-heres-what-happens-when-roe-overturned

https://ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics/fetal-personhood-explainer

Adirondack Daily Enterprise Guest Commentary: https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/opinion/guest-commentary/2022/07/the-challenge-we-face/

New York Times, 7/18/22: “After New Abortion Laws, Some Patients Have Trouble Obtaining Miscarriage Treatment.”