Quotable Quotes

FRIENDS

Justice Ginsburg called the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the federal abortion procedure ban alarming as it, "tolerates, indeed applauds, federal intervention to ban nationwide a procedure found 'necessary and proper' in certain cases by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists."

FOES

"The point [of making women wait to have an abortion] is having an appropriate amount of time to think about it. And I know the next thing out of your mouth is going to be: 'Don't you think they've [women] already thought about it?' And that's debatable."

Representative Arthur Corvese, D. Dist. 55 of North Providence, during the House Judiciary hearing, April 12, 2005.

You Can Make a Difference

Rhode Island is a very small state. Here, just a handful of letters to legislators can really make a big difference. Your legislator is acutely aware of the message of the 2006 midterm elections. Legislators learned then that ignoring voter sentiment can have major consequences at the ballot box. In RI, the voters support choice and legislators should represent their constituents. In 2007, in RI you have more power than you think.

YOUR legislator works for YOU!

1. Speak out:If your legislator isn’t hearing the from you, he/she can’t accurately represent your views.

2. Educate your legislator: Tell him/her what you think about this proposed bill. Tell him/her that the women of RI are completely qualified to make reproductive choices. Tell him/her that doctor:patient conversations should be kept confidential. Remind him/her that the people of RI value privacy.

3. In RI the voters support choice and legislators should represent their constituents.

4. Remind your legislator that he/she is accountable to YOU.

5. WRITE or CALL TODAY. These bills could be put to a vote at any moment!

Write, Email or Call your Legislator!

We need your help! Please write, email or call your legislator to let them know what you think about this bill! The following letter provides some ideas of what you might want to say. If you contact your legislator, please let us know by e-mailing us at YouDecideRI@gmail.com.

SAMPLE:

Dear Representative/Senator,

NOW is the time to support one another and to put our faith in the intelligence and good sense of the women of Rhode Island.

I am deeply concerned that the Rhode Island General Assembly will consider the so-called “Women’s Right to Know Act.” If passed, this bill will seriously undermine physician autonomy and women’s rights.

I believe that this bill requires doctors to provide biased information to women considering an abortion. Furthermore, this bill mandates a 24-hour waiting period before performing an abortion, which will lead to later term, and therefore more dangerous and costly abortions.

A recent article about this bill (‘Abortion foes seek passage of 24-hour notification law,’ 1-26-07), quoted Representative Peter G. Palumbo, D-Cranston, “If you’re considering having an abortion, Palumbo asked, ‘Wouldn’t you want to make the most informed decision you could make?’”

I believe that the women of Rhode Island are already equipped to make the best decisions for themselves, their bodies, and their lives. Not only with intellect and common sense, but also with the informed consent law in Rhode Island specifically for abortion.

This bill lacks compassion for women and I urge you to join the medical community, including the American Medical Association and the Rhode Island Medical Society in opposing this procedure specific waiting period, which will ultimately lead to abortions performed later in pregnancy, endangering the health and well-being of the women of Rhode Island.

Sincerely,

Your Constituent

Planned Parenthood RI Speaks Out Against Waiting Period Bill

February 2007
Courtesy of Planned Parenthood Rhode Island Newsletter


“Women’s Right to Know” Legislation Assumes Women are Stupid

Imagine a world where there are no anti-choice fanatics infringing on women’s rights… nice, right? Unfortunately, we are certain to be facing anti-choice legislation and most dangerous is the “Woman’s Right to Know” bill. This is a strategic and manipulative bill that claims to give women valuable information. Instead, however, it seeks to prevent women access to safe abortions, and denies them privacy, respect and choice. Here are some important facts you need to know about the “Women’s Right to Know” bill:


Waiting Period: This legislation will force women to wait at least 24 hours before they are able to obtain an abortion after receiving biased, non-medical, anti-choice ropaganda. The reality of this waiting period will be that women are forced to have later abortions resulting in more complicated procedures and higher cost to the patient. There is no other medical procedure that requires a patient to wait before being treated.

Discrimination: This legislation will put an undue burden on poor and working-class women’s ability to obtain safe abortions. Many women cannot afford to take multiple days off from work, pay for childcare, or have access to adequate transportation for needless and manipulative trips to the doctor.

Privacy: Women who cannot make several trips are offered alternatives that violate their right to medical privacy. They can obtain this biased, anti-choice propaganda over the internet or by mail, neither of which will ensure their right to privacy. Who uses the computer after her? Who checks her mail?

Facts: The information and materials given to women will be state sponsored, anti-choice propaganda and NOT produced by medical professionals or organizations. It will include misleading and unnecessary information designed to incite guilt in women who are making the best decisions for their lives.

RI State Budget: The passage of this bill will cost Rhode Island taxpayers approximately $500,000 to implement! If anti-choice extremists really wanted to help women and children, this money would be better used to fund adequate health care, affordable housing, and quality education programs.

Women’s Health: Even when a woman’s health is in danger, she is not exempted from these ridiculous requirements. It is only when a woman will die without the procedure that the requirements can be waived.

Security: This legislation will force abortion providers to give their names over the phone to anyone who calls. If you need reminding of the dangers anti-choice extremists pose to these physicians you can check out http://www.christiangallery.com/atrocity/. Please be warned this is a gruesome, sickening site.

Cost to Abortion Providers: This legislation will force physicians to fill out more onerous paperwork and increase costs for patients.

Penalties: Physicians face felony charges if they cannot prove that they abided by every aspect of this legislation. This intentionally causes a chilling effect in the medical community resulting in fewer and fewer doctors willing to perform abortions. This legislation also allows the supposed “father” and “maternal/paternal grandparents” of the fetus (how do you determine that?) rights to take legal action against the physician, even when the women who had the procedure is happy with her decision. Her privacy is notguaranteed in the courts.

Tell your legislator what you think about this legislation!Email us at YouDecideRI@gmail.com to get involved!

Posted by You Decide at 12:30 PM 0 comments

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