governor vetoes SB 714
SB 714 (outlawing some abortions and placing greater restrictions on others) was opposed by medical professionals in the best position to understand the bill’s impact. Those opposing include: the Oklahoma State Medical Association, the Oklahoma section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Osteopathic Association and the Oklahoma Nurses’ Association.
Governor Henry stated SB 714 “is flawed in that it does not include exemptions for cases of insest and rape. That means many victims of rape or insest would have no option but to carry a fetus to term, no matter how horrific and violent the circumstances. I have grave concerns that its inadvertent consequences would prove disastrous. I believe the unintended consequences of this bill would do more harm than good. Although designed to simply prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions, in reality the bill reaches much further, impacting most community hospitals in the state and severely compromising the quality and availability of medical care.
Furthermore, because of its flaws, it was questionable whether this legislation could withstand the legal challenges that would have awaited it. For instance, the bill disproportionately impacts healthcare options for low-income women and families. I share the concerns of a majority of medical experts who believe this bill would severely compromise healthcare in our state by placing undue restrictions on the sacred relationship between doctor and patient. Under this measure, a woman may have no option but to carry to term a fetus with a fatal birth defect. There are a number of fatal birth defects in which there is no chance of survival, and yet SB 714 would add to a family’s suffering and medical costs by forcing a woman to carry that fetus to term.”