Tuesday, March 15, 2011

House Votes For Abortion Provider Oversight

The House voted today to increase regulatory oversight of abortion providers and increase safeguards for women.

“I am strongly pro-life, but also believe we should not ignore the potential medical risks faced by women who undergo abortions,” said Rep. Mike Ritze, a Board Certified Family Practice Physician and Surgeon who has delivered over 2,000 babies.

“This legislation would increase regulatory protection provided women and ensure disreputable abortionists are not able to escape oversight.”

House Bill 1642, by Ritze, would require any abortion provider to have “clinical privileges at a hospital which offers obstetrical or gynecological care” that is located within 30 miles of the site where abortion is performed or induced.

“The people once derided as ‘back-alley butchers’ were allowed to simply hang a shingle on their front door and continue doing business as usual after Roe v. Wade,” said Ritze, R-Broken Arrow. “That is why the law must provide greater regulation of abortion clinics.”

House Bill 1642 passed on a bipartisan vote of 89-7 in the House and now goes to the Senate.

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