(RepublicanNews.org) – Minnesota abortion clinics and hospitals are no longer required to report failed terminations thanks to a new law that went into effect on August 1st. Babies mistakenly born alive will now be hidden from public view and medical staff will not be obligated to “preserve the life” or provide post-birth healthcare to the child.
Before August 1st, the law required that “reasonable measures” be taken to keep infants alive following failed abortions. Under the previous statute, OB/GYNs who perform abortions were required to report if a termination resulted in a live birth, if any medical attempt was made to keep the child alive, and whether or not the infant survived.
Staff were also required to provide the state with the overall status of the child because failed abortions often result in deformity or disability.
Medical staff are now only required to provide “care” for newborns. Author of the bill and Democratic State Rep. Tina Liebling described the “care” requirement as being a provision to provide “comfort.” This essentially means that the child is guaranteed palliative care, but not life-saving treatment.
In November 2022. Minnesota Democrats gained full control of the state government. They control both chambers in the state legislature and maintain what is referred to as a “triplex” on the offices of governor, attorney general, and secretary of state.
State leaders had promised voters they would move swiftly to pass new abortion protections, and it was one of the first issues lawmakers addressed upon convening in early January.
Between 2015 and 2021 at least 24 infants were born alive in the state following failed terminations. Minnesota’s Department of Health will no longer be required to keep records of this type under the new law.
Cathy Blaeser of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life referred to the newfound lack of record keeping as an attempt to “keep” citizens “in the dark.”
Minnesota has some of the most lax abortion laws in the nation. Minors in the state are not required to receive parental permission before ending their pregnancies.
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