Nebraska Politicians Introduce Near Total Abortion Ban
By Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska | Jan. 17, 2023, 8:18 p.m.
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Legislation Would Ban Abortion at About Six Weeks of Pregnancy Before Many People Know They Are Pregnant, Cause Doctors to Lose Their License
Note: Please see a recent update in AP style, which avoids the use of “fetal heartbeat” bill since this legislation addresses neither a fetus (it’s still an embryo) nor a heartbeat (it hasn’t yet developed a heart).
OMAHA, NEBRASKA—Nebraska politicians seeking to outlaw abortion in the state today introduced a near total ban on abortion, LB626, that also would cause doctors who perform abortions after six weeks or without an ultrasound to lose their medical license.
The near total ban would outlaw abortions at about six weeks of pregnancy, before many people know they are pregnant. The measure would be enforced by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, which would create a panel of medical peers to review any allegations leveraged against health care providers.
“This dangerous near total abortion ban does nothing more than take away Nebraskans’ control over their bodies and futures and put it into the hands of politicians, most of whom have no medical expertise,” said Andi Curry Grubb, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska. “Abortion remains safe and legal in our state today and a growing majority of Nebraskans want it to stay that way. We will continue to provide essential sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, while fighting for our patients to ensure they can access the care they need, no matter what.”
This legislative session is the first since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, giving state politicians more control over Nebraskans’ bodies than they have. While there are more reproductive rights champions in the legislature than ever before, any vote on this measure will be razor thin.
A growing majority of Nebraskans support safe and legal abortion. Fifty-nine percent of Nebraskans do not want any further restrictions on abortion in Nebraska and oppose abortion bans, which is a 23 percentage point difference compared to those who want abortion banned.
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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization. As the advocacy and electoral arm of PPNCS, we mobilize supporters of all parties to defend and increase access to family planning services and fact based, medically accurate sexuality education. We work to inspire and engage citizens to take up the cause of reproductive health and rights through education, electoral activity, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy.
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