Expanding Abortion

 

“No” to physician assistants performing abortions in R.I.

Editor’s note. The following Action Alert comes from Rhode Island Right to Life, NRLC’s state affiliate.

Barth Bracy, executive director, Rhode Island Right to Life

For over two decades, the abortion industry has been attempting to expand access to abortion — and increase their profit margin — by proposing laws empowering Physician Assistants to perform abortions.

Bills have been filed this year in both the House (2016–H7489) and in the Senate (2016–S2639) that seek to expand the scope of practice of Physician Assistants in Rhode Island. And while it does not appear to be the intent of the bill sponsors to empower Physician Assistants to perform abortions, this will be the likely effect unless the bills are amended to maintain Rhode Island’s longstanding policy that only physicians may perform surgical abortions.

The Senate version of the bill is scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, March 22 at the “Rise of the Senate” (approximately 5 pm) in the Senate Lounge.

The House version of the bill is scheduled for hearing on Wednesday, March 23 at the “Rise of the House” (approximately 5 pm) in Room 101. (Please note that a bill seeking to legalize Assisted Suicide in Rhode Island is on the same Committee agenda.)

It is critical that you respond to this action alert, which will send an email expressing your concerns to your state Senator and state Representative, as we anticipate that the Rhode Island Medical Society will be exerting its influence to attempt to pass the bill without the amendment we have already proposed to the bill sponsors.

Physician Assistants must not be allowed to perform abortions in RI. You can contact your elected official here.

Source: NRLC News