CARNAL NATION

The Associated Press has reported that on Monday, July 6, Arizona governor Jan Brewer (R) signed into law new restrictions on abortion. HB 2564 creates a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions. In addition, during that women period, the doctors who refer or perform the procedure must counsel the woman in person, informing her of the following information: the name of the performing physician, the nature of the procedure, the medical risks associated with it, the current physiological and anatomical characteristics of the fetus, and the medical risks of a full-term pregnacy. It also establishes specific requirements for informed consent. The law also tightens the restrictions for minors in terms of obtaining parental consent. Minors seeking an abortion in Arizona must have notarized parental consent or must prove to a superior court judge that she is mature and capable of providing informed consent. Changes also include aligning a 1997 Arizona law on so-called "late-term abortions" with current federal law. In addition, the law allows the medical and pharmaceutical professionals to refuse to perform abortions or offer contraception on moral or religious grounds. The exact wording of this clause is as follows:

Permits any employee of a pharmacy, hospital, or health professional who states in writing an objection to abortion, abortion medication, emergency contraception, or any medication or device intended to prevent implantation of a fertilized ovum, on moral or religious grounds, to not be required to facilitate or participate in the provision of an abortion, abortion medication, emergency contraception, or any medication or device intended to prevent implantation of a fertilized ovum.

Bryan Howard, the president of the Arizona affiliate of Planned Parenthood, decried the new law, stating, "[The law] creates barriers, increases costs and denies access to services and providers to women who seek abortion care. Women will be forced to delay their care, in turn increasing their health risks." Former Arizona governor Janet Napolitano, now U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, vetoed all bills restricting abortion during her six-year term. Arizona now joins the 28 other states requiring a waiting period and the 33 state that require some form of pre-procedure counseling.