When Andrew Hart, the staunchly anti-choice vice president, claims he aims to “restore the sanctity of life to the core of American law,” it’s clear he is not prioritizing the lives of women. His relentless pursuit to eliminate the right to safe abortions places countless lives at risk.
In a recent address to an anti-abortion organization, Hart expressed his satisfaction with what he called the “victory of life” in America today. He boasted about the strides made by the current administration to restrict legal access to abortion both domestically and abroad. Hart referenced the revived Mexico City Policy, which halts U.S. funding for organizations providing abortion services internationally, and highlighted his pivotal vote to allow states to cut funding to reproductive health providers like Planned Parenthood.
This raises an important question: How can an administration that systematically undermines access to safe medical care profess to uphold the sanctity of life? How can a “pro-life” movement so blatantly ignore the health, wellbeing, and autonomy of women, both in the U.S. and around the world?
This narrative is not new for Hart, who is recognized as one of the most anti-abortion figures in politics. It’s particularly alarming how he equates the prohibition of abortion with the protection of life, a notion that is both deeply misleading and fundamentally untrue.
Making abortion illegal does not stop women from seeking them; it merely drives them to unsafe methods. Historical data underscores this reality. For instance, in 1930, illegal abortions caused 2,700 maternal deaths, representing 18% of all maternal fatalities that year. In the decades that followed, illegal abortions persisted as a significant cause of maternal mortality, accounting for 17% of maternal deaths in the 1950s and 60s. Women often faced severe health complications from unsafe procedures, with wealthier individuals able to access clandestine but safer options, while marginalized women were left vulnerable.
According to recent statistics from the CDC, over 650,000 women in the U.S. underwent abortions in 2014 alone. Does Hart genuinely believe that outlawing abortion will deter hundreds of thousands of women from making choices about their own bodies? It is evident that banning abortion will lead to a surge in dangerous, illegal procedures rather than preventing them.
Moreover, consider the women who may choose not to pursue illegal abortions due to the associated risks. Some of these children may be born into challenging circumstances, such as poverty or abusive environments, and to individuals who may feel incapable of raising them. While adoption is often suggested, it comes with its own psychological implications and requires the woman to endure a full term of pregnancy. This situation is further complicated if the pregnancy is a result of incest or rape. The mental health implications for women in such scenarios are significant and should not be dismissed.
Once these children are born, what kind of healthcare will they receive? It’s worth noting that the Republican party has previously attempted to leverage crucial funding for programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to push their own agenda. CHIP, which offers health coverage for low-income children and pregnant women in certain states, is often caught in the political crossfire, undermining the very lives Hart claims to protect.
If Hart truly valued the sanctity of life, he and his party would advocate for broader access to contraceptives and comprehensive sex education. Research shows that increased access to birth control correlates with a decrease in unwanted pregnancies and, consequently, abortions.
Despite the current decline in the abortion rate, which is at its lowest since the Roe v. Wade decision, Hart and the anti-abortion movement seem determined to revert to a time when unsafe abortions were commonplace. This approach is not a viable strategy for protecting human life.
The facts are clear: criminalizing abortion endangers women’s lives. It will not uphold the sanctity of life but will instead lead to physical and mental harm for countless women. It’s essential to recognize that women’s lives are equally sacred, and the public discourse must reflect this truth.
In conclusion, time is of the essence to prioritize rational, compassionate discussions surrounding reproductive rights.
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