California Gov. Jerry Brown Allows Non Doctors to Provide Abortions

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Over the weekend, Governor Jerry Brown (D-Calif.) signed legislation that expands a controversial trial program allowing less-trained members of the medical community to provide abortions.

Whereas typically only licensed doctors can perform the delicate procedure, the bill states that due to a shortage of doctors, now a number of certified nurses, midwives, and physician assistants are also qualified.

Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), who introduced the bill, said its purpose is to expand access to abortion for women, particularly those in rural areas where abortionists are apparently harder to find.

Supported by Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and the American Civil Liberties Union of California, the procedure has the novices using a tube to “empty” the uterus with a suction, according to Silicon Valley’s Mercury News.

LifeNews adds:

The California Pro-Life Council sent a legislative alert asking for pro-life residents of the state to contact the governor to urge him to veto it.

…“Since [the program's] inception 41 nurse-midwives, nurse-practitioners and physician assistants have been trained to kill unborn children.  The purpose of this training, funding by abortion businesses and sympathizers is designed to expand the pool people will to perform abortions.  Already abortions can result in serious injury and death to mothers and of course almost always the unborn child.”

“The materials presented in this training teach these newbies to the abortion industry how to validate the ‘moral’ decision to kill unborn children,” CPLC added.

Brown also signed a bill allowing more nurses, midwives, and physician assistants to prescribe birth control pills, patches, and rings to women.

“At a time when some seek to turn back the clock and restrict women’s health choices, California is expanding access to birth control and reaffirming every woman’s basic Constitutional rights,” Brown said.

Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards added: “by enacting this bill, California [is] once again setting an example of national leadership at a critical time when access to healthcare is under attack.”

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