Letter: Women will suffer under new abortion law

Graphic by Lori Deaton

Although 57% of adult North Carolinians have supported the 20-week ban on abortion, the gerrymandered North Carolina Republican legislature overrode the governor’s veto, restricting abortion to 12 weeks with only a few exceptions.

Because over 90% of abortions are performed in the first trimester, it may appear that the new law is realistic. But if you read the small print with big hurdles, it’s not realistic.

As of this writing, individuals seeking an abortion must visit a physician and then after that visit, wait 72 hours and return for another visit. If the abortion is surgically induced, the individual is required to have a follow-up with the physician.

And the same holds true for individuals wanting a medication-induced abortion. Individuals will have to make more than one face-to-face contact with a physician, and the medication must be given in person by the physician and possibly by a pharmacist (under the way the law is written, it’s unclear whether a pharmacist would be allowed to hand the individual the medication).

The new law will prohibit medications for an abortion to be sent through the mail to a pregnant woman from an in-state provider.

Further, extensive paperwork documenting either a pharmaceutical-induced abortion or a surgical-induced abortion must be filed by the attending physician.

These requirements will overload a medical system that already has too many patients and too few providers. And time, money and travel will become major impediments to a woman’s health.

That is part of the ugliness and immorality of this new law. The power-hungry, self-serving draconian Republican legislators have not only neglected the will of the people, but they have placed an undue burden on women during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. By their actions, women will suffer and die, and the state of North Carolina will be harmed in innumerable ways. And that will be happening in Asheville both in broad daylight and in the dark shadows of inequality and gender bias.

— Richard Boyum
Candler

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Letters
We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentary to letters@mountainx.com

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

3 thoughts on “Letter: Women will suffer under new abortion law

  1. gapple

    Remember the gerrymandered NC 12th district (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/19/gerrymandering-supreme-court-us-election-north-carolina)? So don’t bring up that.

    ” Neglected the will of the people” 88% of abortions occur before the 12th week, so this bill supports the will of the people.

    “they have placed an undue burden on women and women will suffer and die”. What is the burden? They have to go to a doctors office first, with a followup prior to terminating the baby? And “According to the World Health Organization, 23,000 women die from unsafe abortions each year” Seems like a very low number considering the number of women on the planet.

    “in the dark shadows of inequality and gender bias.”
    “Black people in North Carolina have the highest rates of abortion, at a rate of 21 per 1,000 people. Hispanic people have an abortion rate of 13, American Indian-Alaskan Native people a rate of 10, and whites six per 1,000 individuals of childbearing age.” Why the higher percentage of blacks? Why battle the result and not the cause? Is it due to the breakdown of the family? The rise of the single mom family living on the guvment plantation.

    And what are you talking about, “gender bias”. Only a person born a WOMAN can get pregnant.

    • Jokers to the Right

      Your ill-advised and uninformed comment is actually “Exhibit A” for ‘gender bias.” I’m guessing, based on the evidence, that you’re male. But do go on and on with your misogynistic pontificating on women’s rights (or, actually, the increasing lack thereof . . . )
      Oh, and this: “The rise of the single mom family living on the guvment plantation.” Seriously, dude?!?

  2. joelharder

    51% of North Carolina’s population are women. Do what you want with that information.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.