Letter: Abortion law is unconstitutional

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003 | 9:09 a.m.

Don't be fooled by the partial truth. In the coming days, President Bush will sign into law an abortion ban passed by anti-choice members of Congress. So-called "partial-birth abortion" is not a term used in any medical dictionary. It is intentionally misleading political terminology that would ban many safe abortion procedures.

This ban threatens women's health, has been rejected by the medical community and is unconstitutional. It prevents women, along with their doctors and families, from making the best decisions for themselves and their health. It puts politics over the health of our mothers, daughters and best friends.

This ban outlaws medically necessary procedures that women need for serious medical conditions like strokes, kidney failure and diabetes. In all cases women and their doctors -- not politicians -- must be able to choose the best and safest medical treatment.

This abortion ban is unconstitutional because it contains no exception for cases in which a woman's health is at risk. The Supreme Court has stated unequivocally that every abortion restriction must contain a health exception.

Decisions about child bearing should be made by a woman, in consultation with her family, her doctor and her conscience, not the government or politicians.

ELIZABETH NACCARATO Editor's note: The writer is the education program manager and public affairs coordinator for Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada.