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NC House overrides veto of anti-abortion measure
Wednesday, 27 July 2011 09:41

(RALEIGH) -- House lawmakers narrowly overturned the veto of Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue on a bill that would require women to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion.

The legislation directs doctors to give patients state-approved information on medical risks associated with abortion along with alternatives such as adoption or keeping the child. Four Democrats, including Granville County Rep. Jim Crawford, joined Republicans to give bill supporters exactly the number of votes needed to trump Perdue’s decision.

Crawford, who originally voted against the bill, said his concerns were addressed. “Women need the right to know what’s really happening in their lives and the potential consequences - that's why I changed my vote,” he added.

The bill would also require doctors to perform an ultrasound no more than four hours prior to the abortion procedure. The woman would not have to view images or listen to the sounds captured during the ultra sound. However, opponents argued the changes go too far.

“This is Big Brother bashing his way into the [operating room], bashing his way into the relationship between a doctor and his patient, and this is wrong,” said Rep. Frank McGuirt, D-Union.

But supporters rejected the idea that it would violate the doctor-patient relationship. “I have a lot of respect for doctors, but I have even more respect for women,” said bill sponsor Rep. Ruth Samuelson, R-Mecklenburg. “I know first-hand experience and from anecdotal evidence that women aren’t being told what they need to be told before they have an abortion. We need to make sure that they have the information they need to make a fully informed choice.”

The override must also clear the Senate, where it was one vote shy of a veto-proof margin. However, Republican leaders say they have enough support.

Last Updated on Saturday, 30 July 2011 00:00
 
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