Nebraskans oppose fetal heartbeat bill
Law is unclear about how to treat ectopic pregnancies and those resulting from rape, incest
Nebraska feminists and reproductive providers have honed in on a new bill from its state legislature that eliminates abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
The law, known as LB66, limits abortions to that point, which is usually around the sixth week of pregnancy. Medical professionals like Dr. Stephanie Gustin, who is an OB/GYN in the state, fear that the prospective law would have a chilling effect on vital treatment. There are so many other aspects of the bill that it confuses anyone who looks for guidelines on how to practice reproductive medicine.
“It pretty much compromises any aspect of care of a pregnant woman,” Gustin said.
Five abortion providers exist in Nebraska, located in Lincoln and Omaha.
The bill has an exemption for ectopic pregnancies, where a fertilized egg implants in the wrong place. But the bill defines pregnancy as being in the uterus, and it limits abortion care within that biological space. Gustin pointed out that some ectopic pregnancies are in the uterus, but not in the location that they’re supposed to be.
There are also stipulations on permitting abortions when a mother’s life or health is at risk. But the threshold for when that’s permissible is unclear.
“How sick does she have to get before she can be offered a termination?” Gustin said.
The bill also permits exceptions for pregnancies that have resulted from rape or incest. But it requires confirmed documentation that the rape occurred. It’s also unclear whether an accusation itself would suffice as justification for an abortion. The woman or detective may have to prove that a crime happened.
Additionally, if there isn’t sufficient evidence for rape, then the woman still has identified who the father is. That complicates matters of custody.
“Unless that person is tried in the court system and is convicted of a felony, he has the ability to file for parental rights,” Gustin said.
Gustin said most Nebraskans are opposed to the bill. Prior to a committee hearing on the bill, nearly 1700 people petitioned online against the bill. Eight hundred people spoke in favor of it.
“The internet actually crashed during the day when people were submitting online testimonies because there were so many people in opposition trying to submit their dissent,” Gustin said.
Nebraska is a unicameral legislature. There is only one chamber. There are 49 state senators that guide the decision-making in the state. They serve for four years and are limited to two terms. Currently, 17 of those seats are Democratically controlled.
If all of them opposed, then they could start a filibuster. One Democrat, Mike McDonnell has said he supported the bill, however.
To show support for women’s reproductive treatment, Gustin asked that people consider joining her group, Doctors for Fertility.