State Senate Passes Measure To Restrict Abortions

Thursday, April 12th 2007, 6:33 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The state Senate votes 32-to-16 for a bill critics say restricts doctors from recommending abortions in medical emergencies for women who are on Medicaid or have no insurance. Under current state and federal law, taxpayer funds generally can't be used for abortions, but there are a few exceptions.

State Senator James Williamson's measure seeks to narrow those exceptions to preserving the life of the mother and to bar state facilities from being used for abortions.

Opponents say the proposal limits the ability of doctors to treat women with troubled pregnancies.

Oklahoma City state Senator Debbe Leftwich says in some cases, it would endanger the future health of women, such as those who have cervical cancer or other medical conditions that complicate pregnancies.