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Saturday, September 06, 2008

Ind. Law - Even more on: "Allen County bill may effectively limit abortion"

Updating this ILB entry from yesterday, today Amanda Iacone of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has a long and detailed story about the specifics of the proposed ordinance. Some quotes:

Allen County commissioners expected to review proposed standards for all doctors performing outpatient surgeries but learned Friday the measure addresses only gynecological-related procedures that seem to focus on abortion techniques.

Previously, the commissioners discussed enacting a law to protect patients involved with all types of in-office invasive procedures – from tooth extractions to plastic surgery. But at least one commissioner expressed concern that the proposed ordinance is too narrowly focused and would affect only abortion providers.

Jim Howard, a local attorney and vice president of Allen County Right to Life, drafted the measure and gave commissioners their first look Friday morning.

Abortion-rights advocates have said it would limit the ability of women to have abortions in Allen County.

Supporters of the proposal told the commissioners in early August that it would affect those in the medical community who perform in-office surgeries.

But the proposed ordinance introduced Friday would apply only to outpatient surgical procedures involving the removal of tissue during the following procedures: “tubal ligation/sterilization procedures, uterine endometrial ablations, dilation and curettages (with or without suction), and dilation and extraction.” * * *

Commissioner Linda Bloom said she thought the measure was intended to protect all patients following surgery – whether they are men, children or women – an ideal she supported. But she asked Howard and a local gynecologist who has championed the new proposal why the draft only protects women and not all types of surgical procedures.

“Are we doing this for an abortion clinic or are we doing this for patient safety?” Bloom asked Dr. Geoff Cly. “If this is an abortion ordinance, I’m not interested.”

Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 6, 2008 01:45 PM
Posted to Indiana Law