Meghan Youker
OMAHA (KPTM) — A new Nebraska law requiring health screenings for women who want an abortion remains in limbo. Planned Parenthood wants a federal judge to put the brakes on LB 594 before it can take effect Thursday.
The Nebraska Attorney General's office was forced to show up in federal district court Tuesday afternoon. "Our concern was that the law was so vague, that it was hard to understand how to follow the law," said Jill June, CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.
Planned Parenthood is suing over a new state law that requires abortion providers to screen women for risk factors and then inform them of possible mental and physical complications. "I don't understand why this lawsuit is even taking place," said Ann Marie Bowen, president of Nebraskans United for Life.
Supporters and the state say the intent is to give patients more information. "If they know the risks in advance, than they do know the risks and better that they have that opportunity before they make the choice for that surgery to kill their unborn child," Bowen said.
But Planned Parenthood says when taken literally, the law requires physicians to review a limitless number of medical journals and articles and pass on what could be untrue or misleading information. A doctor could then be liable in court if a screening fell short. "In reading the law, we try to understand exactly how we can comply and unfortunately the way this law is written it's impossible to know whether a physician or a clinic could be in compliance," June said.
And although some state senators feel patients aren't getting proper consultation up front, Planned Parenthood says they already disclose all relevant medical risks. "There was no evidence whatsoever that there's any inadequacy in the existing informed consent law. As a matter of fact, I think it's widely understood that Nebraska has a very sound informed consent law in place protecting the citizens," June said.
Planned Parenthood is asking for an order to block the law, but attorneys say they will also accept a ruling that allows the law to go into effect if its interpreted narrowly. U.S. District Judge Laurie Smith Camp promised a decision Wednesday.
