I did not know that Minnesota has such restrictions on abortion

[question everything]

There is a story in the strib about how Ellison, as the AG will have to defend these rules against a lawsuit:

The lawsuit, brought by legal advocacy groups Gender Justice and the Lawyering Project on behalf of two anonymous health professionals and First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, is aimed at overturning a series of laws supporters say deny women access to constitutionally protected abortion services and “impose burdensome and unnecessary restrictions” on providers.

Targeted statutes include a 24-hour waiting period, two-parent notification requirements for patients under 18, and a provision mandating that fetal remains be buried or cremated.

The challenge also seeks to strike the requirement that all abortions be performed by a physician. Several other states, including California, Colorado and Vermont, allow nurse practitioners or other health professionals to perform some procedures.

http://www.startribune.com/we-re-going-to-do-a-good-job-ellison-says-state-will-defend-abortion-restrictions-in-court-despite-personal-views/511754312/

[Ohiogal]

1. I know, right?

Those sneaky Republicans have been quietly putting ridiculous and burdensome restrictions on womens' rightful health care everywhere.
It's infuriating.

[Autumn]

2. Abortion restrictions came about with Casey v. Planned Parenthood (1992)

the Supreme Court affirmed the basic ruling of Roe v. Wade that the state is prohibited from banning most abortions. Casey also ruled, however, that states may regulate abortions so as to protect the health of the mother and the life of the fetus, and may outlaw abortions of "viable" fetuses . It puts an undue burden on women.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. I don't have a problem with Ellison doing his job here. I'd rather have a vigorous defense that then

loses, because that strengthens the decision.

[question everything]

6. Neither do I. I was just surprised to read about these restrictions

[progree]

4. "common sense abortion laws" that have "helped empower and protect thousands of women"

Abortion opponents, meanwhile, welcomed Ellison’s latest comments. Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life spokesman Paul Stark said the targeted measures have “helped empower and protect thousands of women” over the years.

“The taxpayers of Minnesota deserve a vigorous defense of our common-sense abortion laws,” he said.

This is about as laughably Orwellian garbage I've ever seen, except it's not funny.

I didn't know about the fetal remains having to be buried or cremated -- that adds considerable cost to the procedure which is already out-of-reach for many poor women. As does the 24 hour waiting period.

EDIT - I thought there was a sonogram requirement too... ?

[dflprincess]

5. I knew the "two parent notification" had been around for several years

I recall asking my state rep at the time that passed what would have happen to girls who had had a parent die; would the surviving parent have to produce a death certificate or would their word be accepted (not to mention girls who had a parent who had always been absent for other reasons.). I don't recall that I ever got an answer.

I did not know we had a waiting period & rules about burial/cremation.


I wonder how vigorously the AG's office will defend these or if it will just offer a token defense.