Johnson Introduces Bill Requiring Babies Who Are Abortion Survivors to Receive Medical Care
October 3, 2019
Terry Johnson News
COLUMBUS—State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) this week introduced common sense legislation that will ensure that babies' lives are valued following a failed abortion and will require that they be rendered appropriate medical care and treatment.
"Regardless of your stance on the pro-life issue, I do not believe that anyone in good conscience can claim that a baby that has been born and is still alive is not an innocent human life that should receive the same medical treatment as any other baby," said Senator Johnson. "As a doctor, I believe good health and the preservation of life is a top priority, regardless of the circumstances around the birth of the patient. My colleagues in the medical field should be required under state law to do the same."
In addition to the medical care provisions, this legislation creates reporting requirements and penalties for the attending physician who fails to report a born-alive baby. While individual stories will remain confidential, the Department of Health will publish annually the number of babies who survive abortions.
Current federal law recognizes that all infants born at any stage of development, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the birth, are “persons.” However, supporters of this legislation believe this recognition alone is insufficient to provide protections for infants born alive following an attempted abortion. Earlier this year, a bipartisan Ohio Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 41, which urged congress to enact the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act, similar legislation that is currently being considered by Congress at the federal level. Senate Bill 208 will now be referred to a Senate Committee for further consideration.
"Regardless of your stance on the pro-life issue, I do not believe that anyone in good conscience can claim that a baby that has been born and is still alive is not an innocent human life that should receive the same medical treatment as any other baby," said Senator Johnson. "As a doctor, I believe good health and the preservation of life is a top priority, regardless of the circumstances around the birth of the patient. My colleagues in the medical field should be required under state law to do the same."
In addition to the medical care provisions, this legislation creates reporting requirements and penalties for the attending physician who fails to report a born-alive baby. While individual stories will remain confidential, the Department of Health will publish annually the number of babies who survive abortions.
Current federal law recognizes that all infants born at any stage of development, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the birth, are “persons.” However, supporters of this legislation believe this recognition alone is insufficient to provide protections for infants born alive following an attempted abortion. Earlier this year, a bipartisan Ohio Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 41, which urged congress to enact the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act, similar legislation that is currently being considered by Congress at the federal level. Senate Bill 208 will now be referred to a Senate Committee for further consideration.