In 2019 Illinois Governor Pritzker signed into law SB 25, which is the Illinois Reproductive Health Act (RHA) (ilga.gov). Its significance will be obvious as we condense the primary features so you know what could be coming down the pike in 2021 in Virginia:

1. Reproductive Health decisions including abortion are a fundamental right.
2. A fertilized egg or embryo does not have any independent rights.
3. Abortion is allowed throughout all nine months of pregnancy for any reason.
4. Abortion clinics do not need to be in an ambulatory surgical center, so do not require licensing and health and safety inspections of the clinics.
5. Non-physicians such as advanced licensed registered nurses may perform medical and chemical abortions.
6. Private health insurance is forced to cover all abortions, no exceptions allowed.
7. An attending physician does not need to be present during the abortion of a viable infant, so there is no regulation to ensure that infants born alive are kept alive.
8. County coroners do not need to investigate the death or a mother or baby due to abortion. Abortion is no longer under the criminal code, so doctors will not be afraid in the event of a baby’s or mother’s death.
9. Parents are liable to pay for their child’s abortions even if they did not give consent when they are still on the parents’ healthcare plan (over 18).

Those are the primary points covered by the bill.

In summary,

• RHA is just like any other health care issue and is treated as such by insurance.
• RHA gives non-physicians greater latitude with abortions than they are granted for most other health care diagnoses.
• RHA allows minors to have abortions without the knowledge or consent of the parent(s).
• RHA places monetary responsibility for abortion of minors on the parent(s) even if they did not know it was happening.
• RHA protects abortionists from liability when serious complications due to infection from unclean equipment or death occur.
• RHA wipes reason and logic off the map!

We’re not saying that the 2021 Legislative session in Richmond will introduce such a bill, but it could happen. Citizens need to be aware of the possibility, so you can contact your representatives and senators and voice your disapproval. To be forewarned is to be forearmed!

Additional References

• Illinois Legislature Passes Bill Legalizing Abortions Up to Birth, Gov Pritzker Expected to Sign Bill | LifeNews.com
• Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs late-term abortion bill at celebratory ceremony – Washington Times
• Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signs abortion protection bill into law – CNNPolitics
• SB 25 – Illinois Right to Life Action

— Posted by Tom Salmon for Doris, a fellow member of the Prince William and Manassas Family Alliance