The Indiana Supreme Court is preparing to hear arguments from abortion clinics who are challenging the Indiana abortion waiting-period law. The law requires women who want an abortion to receive in-person counseling dealing with medical risks, alternatives and wait at least 18 hours before having the procedure.\nA Marion County judge already dismissed the lawsuit, but the Court of Appeals ruled the clinics could continue to challenge the law. \nMost women who go into an abortion clinic are already facing a decision that has weighed on their mind since they found out they were pregnant. The current law only makes sure these women are correctly informed and have fully thought their decision through. \nThe clinics argue the law requires women to make two trips to an abortion provider at least 18 hours apart and this could prevent many from getting abortions because of travel and work issues. \nAlthough the time period could cause some inconvenience to women seeking abortions, it is only 18 hours. No matter the waiting period for the procedure or your view on abortion, this law only requires the woman be even more confident in her decision by waiting the extra time. Eighteen hours isn't even a day, and it is not so much to ask given the importance of the situation.\nThe IDS would not support this law if it turned into one with religious or moral connotations. Abortion is a personal decision and these women are seeking help from these clinics because they have made their decision. Videos, pictures or other tactics that might attempt to change the woman's mind through guilt over a decision to have an abortion should not be allowed. \nThe law is only bettering the decision being made. It is not hindering it. \n \n "DISSENT"
A woman who is about to receive an abortion has to sit through a face to face counseling session and she is offered photos of what her fetus might look like at least 18 hours before the procedure. Why does the state of Indiana want to "scare" these women into not receiving an abortion? Why don't Indiana elected officials support the choice of a woman who wants to prevent birthing an unwanted child into an already over-populated world?\nMany claim this waiting period law puts a deadweight on a woman's right to choose. It seems the state is trying to put the patient through a guilt trip instead of truly trying to help during an already emotional period. \nThis law puts a financial burden on women who cannot afford adequate health care for themselves or an unborn child and on those who must travel to a clinic two separate times to receive a consultation and then the procedure. Many impoverished women don't have the financial means to take off work twice and find transportation to the clinic. \nThis is a personal, ethical issue and the state shouldn't insert legislated morality. Where is the state of Indiana for the 23 percent of families with female householders and no husband present who live below the poverty level, (according to the U.S. Census Bureau)?\nIf the Clinic for Women loses this case, this could open the floodgate of legislation against the most fundamental of rights for women -- the choice to conceive or not.
Dissent written by Andrea Opperman.
