Jan Meyers: “we know that after the 24th week, only .01 percent of all abortions are performed, .01 percent. There are two or three…”

“we know that after the 24th week, only .01 percent of all abortions are performed, .01 percent. There are two or three procedures that are used, meaning that this particular procedure is used in only a portion of that .01 percent. Of these procedures, all are more terrifying and unpleasant than this one. But if a woman is carrying a fetus which has a severe abnormality or if the woman has a severe health condition which threatens her health if she continues to carry the fetus, one of these procedures must be used. The bill itself states that there are circumstances in which no other procedure will suffice. The Senate amendments improved the bill only marginally, and I must still vote ``no'' because, one, I believe strongly that we should not remove a medical option that might preserve the health of a woman or preserve the ability of a woman to have future children. Second, I believe strongly that we should not decide medical procedures on the floor of this House and am deeply concerned about where this might lead. And, third, I believe strongly that we should not criminalize a medical procedure. For these three reasons, I must vote ``no.''”