CNHI News Service
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Gov. Brad Henry vetoed an abortion bill Wednesday, saying the unintended consequences of the bill are too severe.
"I believe that this legislation, encompassed in Senate Bill 714, is well intentioned, but I also believe that it has many unintended consequences that could severely and negatively impact women and families across Oklahoma," Henry said.
The governor, who said he has voted for abortion measures in the past that came with "reasonable restrictions," said this legislation goes too far.
One provision of the bill would prohibit abortions in state-funded medical facilities or by a state employee unless a woman's life is threatened or if she poses the risk of impairment to major bodily functions.
Henry said he does not feel comfortable determining how doctors should make that decision.
More than 20 individuals from Oklahoma's medical community joined Henry as he announced he would veto the measure Wednesday afternoon.
Dr. Dana Stone, an Oklahoma City obstetrician and gynecologist and the chair of the Oklahoma division of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, was thankful for the veto.
"We had such concerns for our patients," she said. "As obstetricians we learn early on that we're caring for two patients and this bill made it to where we had to disregard one of our patients under certain circumstances and that was quite bothersome to us. Pregnant mothers are willing to go through a lot to carry a baby to term and we see patients very willing to take on risks to their own health and even sometimes their own life to carry their babies."
The Senate bill, authored by Sen. James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, and Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, was amended by the House to include additional provisions beyond the original language of the bill. Senators voted 32-16 to approve those amendments April 11. It takes two-thirds vote of the Senate, or 32 votes, to override the governor's veto.
Henry is confident he can get the votes needed to sustain the veto. He would need one senator who voted for the bill to join the other side.
Williamson said he will continue to try to override the bill until he gets the bill through. "It's incredible the governor does believe the Oklahoma state government should be in the abortion business and I'm surprised by that," he said. "The excuses he uses in his veto message are the same excuses and misinformation that was put out by the pro-abortion groups."
Also under the bill, a medical emergency would only deal with physical conditions, not emotional, psychological or mental conditions.
The bill also says heath insurance contracts or plans can only provide elective abortion coverage if the carrier pays for an additional premium. Doctors would have to report emergency abortions that would be kept by the state Department of Health, under the bill. Doctors also would have to verify the age of an individual needing an emergency abortion and must see proof a minor is emancipated or has a written informed consent by one parent.
Henry said he is concerned the bill would not protect women in cases of rape or incest.
"I believe a person who has been maliciously raped should have an option," he said. "After discussing all sides of the issue with her doctor, with her family and with her faith, (a woman) should have the option to terminate that pregnancy. This bill does not provide that."
Williamson said that is misinformation. He said there is no item in the bill that would limit abortions in cases of rape and incest.
The bill would prevent elective abortions in public facilities, but not private facilities.
Henry also believes the bill would disproportionately affect poor women who may only qualify for state aid, as opposed to affording personal health insurance. He also believes there are portions of the bill that will not stand up in court.
"This is a highly charged, emotional issue. It's one that many, I'm certain, will use for political gain and will mischaracterize this veto for political gain," Henry said.
Jaclyn Houghton is CNHI News Service Oklahoma reporter.
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