Medical Professionals/Lawmakers Urge Gov. to Sign SB 714

Medical professionals and members of the Legislature held press conferences in Oklahoma City and Tulsa on Monday, urging Gov. Brad Henry to sign Senate Bill 714 into law. Sen. James A. Williamson, principal author of the measure, said the press conferences were necessary to counter misinformation from opponents of the measure.

“It is important to remember that at the heart of it, this bill simply gets the state of Oklahoma out of the abortion business,” said Williamson, R-Tulsa. “Secondly, those doctors and nurses who spoke out against the bill at a press conference last week do not speak for the majority of the medical profession in Oklahoma.”

Williamson also said that language on reporting requirements in the bill was simply there to ensure that abortionists were following state laws on informed consent and parental notification.

Among those speaking in favor of SB 714 was Dr. Mary Martin, a Midwest City OB/GYN, who refuted many of the claims made by opponents of the measure.

“Women or teens who are pregnant as the result of rape or incest will still have the remedy of abortion. The bill does not prohibit birth control or the use of the morning-after pill,” said Martin. “This makes it crystal clear that the use of birth control or the morning-after pill would not be defined as abortion.”

Martin also pointed out that Medicaid currently covers abortions necessary to save the life of the mother, and for pregnancies as a result of rape or incest, and noted those would not be affected by SB 714. She also countered those who felt it was better to abort an unborn child diagnosed with a serious medical condition.

“As someone who delivers babies, I take exception to the assumption that aborting a baby rather than carrying the child to natural outcome is somehow kinder or less traumatic,” Martin said. “I can attest that every parent who gives birth to such a child finds comfort in recognizing common familial features such as ears or feet or noses. Terminating the pregnancy before its natural outcome not only robs the family of this healing experience, but makes them complicit in the death of their child.”

Williamson reminded reporters that SB 714 had passed by wide margins with bipartisan support in both chambers.

“Oklahoma is a strong pro-life state. We hope the governor will reject the inflammatory claims of the opponents of this measure and sign SB 714 into law,” Williamson said.