SB 714 would restrict abortions by state employees in public facilities

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A bill that would limit abortions by cutting off public funding was approved by the House on Tuesday, despite opposition from the state's two leading medical associations.

Lawmakers received letters voicing opposition from the 5,000-strong Okla homa State Medical Association and the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, which has about 1,400 members.

The House approved Senate Bill 714 by a 73-22 vote. The measure now returns to the Senate for another vote. It is likely that this is the only anti-abortion measure that has a chance of passing this session. Earlier the House passed two abortion-related bills, but they are not expected to get a hearing in the Senate.

SB 714 would prohibit a state employee from performing or assisting an abortion being performed in a public facility if it was not necessary to save the life of the mother.

Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, said the bill he is sponsoring in the House "is about who pays for abortions as a matter of public policy."

The State Medical Association op poses SB 714 "because the legislation impedes on the physician's ability to practice medicine," Dr. Jack Beller said in a letter to lawmakers.

Dr. Doug Cox, R-Grove, the only physician in the Legislature, debated against the bill, saying it would take away from a doctor the right to make a determination in extreme cases such as when the mother's health was in danger. The only exception allowed would be if the mother would die unless an abortion is performed.

Cox said it is not possible for a doctor to absolutely conclude that a woman would die if an abortion is not performed.

He also asked, "Why would you force a woman to carry to term a child that will die at birth?"

Tony Lauinger, director of Oklahomans for Life, who led the anti-abortion legislation, said after the floor action that a physician's job "is to cure and heal, not to kill and not to become society's tool for eliminating the unwanted or the imperfect."

Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa, said it would discriminate against poor people who cannot afford a private physician and end up at public facilities for medical care.

"This is a bill about punishment and sanctions. This is about controlling our health care professionals and judges," she said.

Rep. Pam Peterson, whose husband is a physician, said abortion is "the ultimate child abuse in this country."

Peterson, R-Tulsa, wrote a provision in the bill that would make it harder for a physician to perform an emergency abortion on a minor without a parent or guardian's consent.

Lauinger said the bill also contains language from another measure sponsored by Rep. Charlie Joiner, R-Midwest City, intended to make sure that insurance policies do not pay for abortions.

Two years ago, the Legislature passed a law requiring parental notification before an abortion could be performed on a minor. Last year, the requirement was strengthened to require parental consent.

Mick Hinton (405) 528-2465
mick.hinton@tulsaworld.com