It’s no secret that abortion can cause significant emotional damage to women who choose it. But should women be able to sue their doctors if they experience emotional damage from an abortion?
Iowa State Senator Mark Chelgren thinks so and has introduced legislation that would do just that.
In an interview with Fox News, Sen. Chelgren explained the purpose of the bill.
“What we’re asking for is that individuals, doctors and clinics that make money off of women by giving them abortions are simply held accountable. That’s all this does. It protects women from people who would normally be trying to sell them something in a time when they are under the most stress that is kind of imaginable.”
The legislation allows a lawsuit regardless of how much time has passed since the abortion.
Despite the fact that emotional risks associated with abortion are well documented, no state currently has a law that specifically permits lawsuits for those harms.
Known side effects from abortion include regret, anger, guilt, shame, a sense of loneliness or isolation, loss of self confidence, insomnia or nightmares, relationship issues, suicidal thoughts and feelings, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, AmericanPregnancy.org describes that the risk of side effects has a lot to do with the the mother’s beliefs about the baby.
“Those who believe it is not a baby until it is born have less of a chance of experiencing negative emotional consequences. However, those who believe it is a baby are more likely to experience negative emotional side effects.”
If passed, the legislation would likely create a deterrent to doctors performing abortions.
As a result, abortion industry advocates are describing the legislation as “anti-woman.”
Is this an appropriate way to limit the number of doctors willing to provide abortions? Comment below.
