Montana bill would required issuance of death certificate for abortions.

[paineinthearse]

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2005/02/18/news/03abortionbill.txt

Opponents accuse Koopman to trying to traumatize women

By WALT WILLIAMS , Chronicle Staff Writer

HELENA -- Opponents of a proposal to issue death certificates for abortions accused Rep. Roger Koopman, R-Bozeman, on Thursday of wanting to psychologically harm women. "It is meant to create suffering and trauma, and maybe that is what (Koopman) believes women who get abortions deserve," said Kate Cholwea of NARAL, a pro-choice group.

Koopman is sponsoring House Bill 617, which would require death certificates for any fetus that is aborted before it is 20 weeks old. A hearing on the bill was held Thursday, which drew a small but emotionally charged crowd. "It certainly is a life in a mother's womb, and if that life ceases, a death certificate would be appropriate," Rachel Roberts of the Montana Family Foundation said.
State law does not currently require death certificates for any fetus aborted when it is 20 weeks or younger.

However, of the more than 2,200 abortions performed in Montana in 2003, nearly all were of fetuses younger than 20 weeks old, according to Koopman and other abortion opponents. Koopman said nothing in his bill restricts a woman from getting an abortion. But it would require doctors to notify women a death certificate will be issued if they choose that route. The lawmaker hopes that will get some women to think twice before having an abortion. The goal, he said, is to reduce the overall number of abortions, something abortion proponents themselves have said they would like to see happen. "This bill is not a symbolic bill," he said. "This is a bill that will make a difference in many people's lives."

Koopman vehemently disagreed with the characterization that he was out to traumatize women seeking abortions. He read to committee members e-mails he received from people telling of their emotional trauma after having abortions.

more......

Walt Williams is at [e-mail]

[XanaDUer]

1. Wasn't some rw nut in Marlyland doing something

similar about a month ago? He wanted spontaneous abortions reported to the local cops, and he got flooded with mail?

[DBoon]

2. It was Virginia

and it would have required women to report all miscarriages to the police, answer some very intrusive questions, within 12 hours or be guilty of a misdemeanor

[XanaDUer]

3. Yes, that was it.

This sounds about the same...

[punpirate]

4. Virginia...

Delegate John Cosgrove and his HB1677.

Wackos know no boundaries.

[disillusioned1]

5. Can we get life insurance on them too? n/t

[no_hypocrisy]

6. What? You don't get one if it's a miscarriage? How about Montana pick

up the tab for cemetery space and a burial? How about an almost-birth certificate and some discount on your taxes as an almost-tax deduction?

This is ridiculous.