Oklahoma Becomes Only Fourth State to Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks, Also Prohibits Health Insurers From Covering Elective Abortions…
Bravo.
(Reuters) — Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin on Wednesday signed into law a measure prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, making it the fourth state to ban such late term abortions.
She also signed a law preventing health insurers from covering elective abortions.
Fallin, a Republican serving her first term as the state’s chief executive, said both laws are important measures that safeguard life.
“I believe in the sanctity of human life and the responsibility of our lawmakers to protect life,” she said. “Together, these two pieces of legislation will expand protections for unborn children and ensure that Oklahomans are not forced to unknowingly or unwillingly help to pay for procedures that run contrary to their values.”
Barbara Santee, former executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice America’s Oklahoma office, called the two laws “a frontal assault” on the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
“This is just chipping away at a woman’s right to choose,” she said.
The law prohibiting abortion after 20 weeks is based on the belief that a fetus can feel pain at that point. Nebraska passed such a law last year, and Idaho and Kansas did so this year. About a dozen other states are considering similar measures.
Posted by ZIP on Thursday, April 21, 2011, at 9:48 am | 
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As a native Texan, this is the best (of very few!) reason I’ve ever been given to move North of the Red River.
Oklahoma is OK!
-alopeks
Barbara Santee, former executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice America’s Oklahoma office, called the two laws “a frontal assault” on the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
—Mrs Barbara Santee… why we have to pay for five minutes of irresponsible pleasure???–
I live in Tulsa, OK and I am proud to be here. Even though I grew up Milwaukee, WI and that’s my “home”. This is definitely my home away from home and proud to live here because of people like the Governor and Senators Coburn and Inhofe. Great place to raise a family!
Way to go Oklahoma!!
I totally agree with this, except I would like to cut the 20 weeks down to 0 weeks or less.
This has no bearing on a womans right to choose. She can choose to keep her pants on, or she can choose to pay for her mistake.
I am an Oklahoma native. Am proud as punch. I just called her office yesterday to thank her for banning collective barganing, today I;m calling about abortion.
Keep it up Fallin!!
God did make Oklahoma!
And women will always have the right to choose: Whether or not they choose to open their legs. Not to choose to MURDER a living human being. Oooh, that really pisses off pro-choicers, doesn’t it?
life at conception, not 20 weeks
Proud to be an Oklahoman!