Montana bill would require death certificate issued 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]

[The Doctor.]

1. So they'll need death certificates for miscarriages too?

And every discarded IVF embryo?

[Warpy]

9. Oh, goody! Yet another dumfuck man to send used tampons

and sanitary napkins to, so he can personally inspect them to see if a death certificate needs to be issued!

Since I no longer produce such items, I'm counting on you, sisters.

Let him have 'em!

[Stop_the_War]

2. Death certificates for fetuses? EEEEEEEEEK!

What's next? Funerals?

[Ediacara]

3. This has little chance of passing

The Montana House is controlled by Democrats, and Koopman is nutty even for a Montana Republican....

[blue neen]

4. Damn self-righeous son of a bitch.

Koopman has no business trying to manipulate a woman's choice.

That's exactly what he's doing; manipulation by intimidation.

[Ilsa]

5. How about naming each aborted fetus "Roger Koopman" just

for fun. I mean, the whole point is to harass women, so maybe they could harass this asshat right back. Yeah, have that name on 2,200 death certificates every year.

[havocmom]

10. or naming him as the father each time a certificate is needed!

:eyes:

Don't think there is much chance for this one to pass. We only let the legislature meet once every couple of years and keep a pretty good eye on them ;)

He is pandering to a very small audience. Most folks here have more sense.

[kikiek]

6. Wouldn't that also violate privacy laws? Naming mothers and the

medical procedure they had for public records? What next? How about a big red A tattooed on their forehead. That is one sick asshole.

[Massacure]

7. How do you get a death certificate if you don't have a birth certificate?

It's time for some people to wake the hell up!

[Ilsa]

8. The claim on the article that 19 week fetuses have lived outside the womb

is extremely misleading. They don't mention that they all died, or that the likelihood of suffering tremendous disability exists for babies born shortly thereafter, if they survive.