The Republican-dominated Arizona Senate advanced two pieces of anti-choice legislation on Wednesday. The first bill would mandate a 24-hour waiting period before a woman could obtain an abortion. The second bill would increase the penalties for doctors who perform late abortions. (For a great analysis about the terminology surrounding the terms “late-term” and “partial-birth” abortions, check out this podcast from NPR.) The state GOP has tried to pass similar bills on 9 separate occasions, but former Governor Janet Napolitano, a staunch women’s rights supporter, vetoed them every time. Arizona’s current Governor Jan Brewer is very anti-choice. She has promised to support both pieces of legislation if they pass through the legislature.

The 24-hour waiting period has become a key strategy on the anti-choice agenda. Similar laws have passed in a number of states, and each time the wording is the same. Forcing women to wait 24-hours to receive medical care is unconscionable. Women driving to the city from a rural area have already had to travel at least 3-4 hours to receive care, if not more. They probably had to take time off of work, and they may have had to arrange for childcare and/or transportation. If they are unable to receive care on the day that they arrive for their first appointment, those hurdles must be surmounted a second time when they come back to obtain the actual abortion. According to Planned Parenthood Arizona:

Supporters of abortion rights said the provisions of the bill would reduce the number of Arizona communities where abortion is available from 10 to three. The requirement that a physician meet with a woman at least 24 hours before the procedure would limit the areas where it can be provided because physicians would be less willing to make multiple trips to rural areas, according to Planned Parenthood. [Read more...]