NC House OKs extending length of wait time before abortion

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The state House agreed Thursday to extend the abortion waiting period in North Carolina from 24 hours to 72 hours, with a majority deciding the extra time was about helping women make a more informed decision rather than belittling their ability to choose.

The chamber voted 74-45 along party lines to extend how long a pregnant woman must wait after contacting a provider for information before undergoing the procedure.

Passage came after an emotional but civil debate about abortion, which has been more highly regulated in North Carolina since Republicans took over the legislature in 2011.

GOP sponsors of the bill said the extension, which now goes to the Senate for consideration, would give women more complete information about the procedure and alternatives. The bill's sponsors haven't concealed their hope that the change would result in fewer abortions.

The longer wait "is not asking too much for something that's so important," said Rep. Pat McElraft, R-Carteret. "Why don't we want them to have this opportunity to change their mind?"

But Democrats said during floor debate that the extra wait is a medically unnecessary delay that places more obstacles in the way of women, particular poor ones, to carry out what is a very personal decision as well as a safe and legal procedure.

"This wait period is about perpetuating shame and about politicians wanting to play doctor," said Rep. Tricia Cotham, D-Mecklenburg, who recalled how her first pregnancy ended in an induced miscarriage because her doctor said her life could be in danger and the fetus was likely inviable. The proposal allows the waiting period to be bypassed in the case of medical emergency.

"This bill promotes the most disparaging of all stereotypes about women: They're emotionally irrational, and they can't make decisions," said Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange.

Only three states have a 72 hour waiting period, which supporters in North Carolina say would give young women, especially those without a strong support system, time to consider an irreversible decision.

"That's exactly what these girls need — 72 hours or more — to understand and get it in their minds what they're doing," said Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Yancey.

The measure requires physicians performing abortions on or after the 18th week of pregnancy to provide data to the state Department of Health and Human Services about the pregnancies they terminate. For those after the 20th week of pregnancy, doctors would have to explain how continuing the pregnancy would have threatened the life and health of the mother. North Carolina bars late-term abortions, save for these exclusions.

"We want to make sure that this law is being followed," said Rep. Jacqueline Schaffer, R-Mecklenburg, another bill sponsor. Two Democratic amendments to adjust or scale back those requirements were defeated.

Any final bill would be presented to Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, who signed an abortion-related bill into law in 2014 after successfully changing abortion clinic rules. Schaffer said the McCrory administration already raised concerns about this year's measure, which previously contained a now-deleted provision related to abortions at two public medical schools.

McCrory's office hasn't responded to email and text messages seeking comment on the bill.

The GOP-led legislature has passed at least seven laws related to abortion since 2011, which some Republicans argue has contributed to a 25 percent decline in the number of abortions in North Carolina from 2010 to 2013. Pregnancies in North Carolina and abortions nationwide also have fallen.

Portions of some of the state's measures have been struck down by federal courts. Law professor Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland, predicted on the floor that the new waiting period would be overturned, too.