Burn the heretics!
by digby
Well, just the ones in the California State Senate. Look at what they've gone and done now:
It would be easier for California women to get abortions under a bill the state Senate approved today.
Assembly Bill 154 expands the types of medical providers that can offer abortions by allowing nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives and physician assistants to perform the procedure during the first trimester of pregnancy.
The bill by Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, cleared the Senate on a vote of 25-11. Supporters, all Democrats, argued that the policy is necessary because remote parts of California do not have many doctors, requiring women who seek an abortion to travel for hours.
"The growing shortage of abortion providers creates a significant barrier for women," said Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara.
Opponents, mostly Republicans, said the proposal puts women at risk.
"It is a leveling down of health care for women," said Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber. "The individuals here do not have the training, do not have the experience.... that doctors do."
Yes, it's all about the women getting the proper professional care. That's why the right wingers want to send them those medical voodoo operations knows as "crisis pregnancy centers" where their heads will be filled with nonsense about how they're going to die of cancer from an abortion.
It's refreshing to see that in one state they are actually trying to see that women can exercise their constitutional and universal human rights by expanding access not restricting it. Who knows if it will pass, but it's great to see it in the mix. This is sorely needed everywhere and maybe the old saw "where California goes, so goes the nation" is back in style.
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