Vague Laws Put Pregnant Women at Risk

Nancy Davis was given a diagnosis that any mother dreads, one that broke her heart.

She was told that her fetus suffered from Acrania – a rare deformity that left her baby without a skull or a chance to survive outside the womb.

At the recommendation of her doctors, Ms. Davis agreed to undergo a procedure to end the pregnancy. However, due to the actions of the Louisiana Legislature, her medical care was denied due to the fetus still having a heartbeat.

Davis was left unable to do what doctors said needed to be done – to end the pregnancy.

Under Louisiana law, any person who knowingly performs a criminal abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy – Ms. Davis’ current state – can be imprisoned for up to 15 years and/or fined up to $200,000.

What doctor is going to take that risk?

Ms. Davis was among the first women to be caught in the crosshairs of confusion due to Louisiana’s rush to restrict abortion. But she will hardly be the last.

Louisiana lawmakers have inflicted unspeakable pain, emotional damage, and physical risk by imposing themselves between women and their doctors.

These vague, ambiguous laws deny many women the ability to receive proper medical treatment.

We must urge Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards to call a special session to clarify the medical exemptions that have kept Ms. Davis and others like her from getting appropriate and necessary medical treatment.