Republican lawmakers inserted several medical exceptions into Kentucky's near-total abortion ban on Thursday, seeking to offer clarity to doctors fearful of breaking the law for terminating pregnancies while treating expectant mothers with grave complications.
Delving into potential life-or-death situations, the bill provides clear guidelines for doctors in such emergencies while maintaining Kentucky's strict prohibitions against abortion, its GOP supporters said.
“It ensures women facing life-threatening situations receive timely, appropriate medical care, and gives providers the legal certainty they need to act decisively,” said Republican state Rep. Jason Nemes.Some abortion-rights supporters said the bill reflected fundamental flaws in the abortion laws and had not been fully vetted. They noted it cleared a committee and both legislative chambers in less than 24 hours.
Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban has been in place since a so-called trigger law took effect when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The Bluegrass State bans abortions except when carried out to save a mother’s life. Efforts to add exceptions for cases of rape or incest
Delving into potential life-or-death situations, the bill provides clear guidelines for doctors in such emergencies while maintaining Kentucky's strict prohibitions against abortion, its GOP supporters said.
“It ensures women facing life-threatening situations receive timely, appropriate medical care, and gives providers the legal certainty they need to act decisively,” said Republican state Rep. Jason Nemes.Some abortion-rights supporters said the bill reflected fundamental flaws in the abortion laws and had not been fully vetted. They noted it cleared a committee and both legislative chambers in less than 24 hours.
Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban has been in place since a so-called trigger law took effect when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The Bluegrass State bans abortions except when carried out to save a mother’s life. Efforts to add exceptions for cases of rape or incest
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