I recently spoke about North Carolina Abortion Law.
Here is a transcript:
For 48 years, since the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v Wade, it has been legal in North Carolina for a doctor to abort the child of a consenting mother, up to birth, for almost any reason. There is a statute limiting abortions after five months, but the exceptions are so broad that this limitation is disregarded. The practical limitation on third trimester abortion in North Carolina is that I am not aware of facilities that actually commit abortions past six months. In those cases, they are referred to out-of-state hospitals, primarily to Washington DC or Maryland. There is one reason that can make an abortion illegal – if the purpose is to select the sex of the child. If a mother wants a boy or wants a girl and is naïve enough to tell the abortionist that she wants to abort her child if the sex is wrong, then it is illegal.
Some limitations have been in place over the last 5 to 25 years and, as a result, we have reduced abortion rates about 25 to 30% from the peak. What are the limitations?
First, the abortion must be performed by a doctor. There are no legal do-it-yourself abortions in North Carolina. Women can find advertisements on the internet for chemical abortions from pills purchased primarily from out of the country. North Carolina requires the first pill for a chemical abortion to be administered in the presence of a prescribing physician.
Second, all healthcare providers have conscience protections. Doctors, nurses, radiologists, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers cannot be forced to assist in an abortion.
Third, there is a 3-day waiting period after the time that the mother first makes contact and has obtained specific health information orally from the abortionist or qualified professional, as well as information in writing provided by the state and available on websites, at pregnancy care services, or even from abortionists. All abortions are preceded by an ultrasound in order to determine that the woman is actually pregnant, and that the pregnancy is not dangerously in her fallopian tubes. Ultrasound has been required by administrative rule for almost all abortions, but if not by rule then by the standard of care. If the mother asks to see the ultrasound or asks questions about it, the abortionist cannot deny that to her.
Fourth, state and local governments may not pay for abortions, except where the mother’s life is at stake or in cases of rape or incest. The state abortion fund for the poor was virtually eliminated 25 years ago. 10 years ago the State Health Plan stopped paying for abortions. Eight years ago, cities and counties stopped paying for elective abortion. Health insurance policies purchased here on the federal ACA exchange cannot pay for elective abortions.
Fifth, since 1996 it has been illegal to abort the child of a mother under 18, without first obtaining either the informed consent of her parent or approval by a judge. While most district court judges approve, and the parents do not even know about the court proceeding, the fact that a minor has to go to court to get the judge’s approval means the rate of abortions on mothers under 18 has gone way down since that law was enacted.
In North Carolina there have been over one million abortions reported since 1973. More than 100,000 have probably been prevented or discouraged following these legislative restrictions.
What can you do about this scourge? First. Take a look at this photo of a three-month-old unborn child. Most abortions are performed at or before this age. Now look at this photo of a six-month-old unborn child. In North Carolina abortions are performed through this age. This information is easily available on the internet.
Share this information with children and teenagers. I have been teaching fourth graders for almost 20 years. At Christmas I teach the first chapter of Luke. I show them what John the Baptist looked like at 6 months when he was full of the Holy Spirit and leaping for joy in the presence of the preborn Jesus. And I show them the three-month photo which is what Jesus looked like at the time John the Baptist was born and Zechariah, his father, was proclaiming that the Redeemer – Jesus – had already come. I trust God that these students will never consider an abortion as they remember what Jesus and John looked like.
Second. Contact every governmental representative of yours at every level. Let them know what you think. You don’t know your leaders? Why not? Find out. Mass emails are not effective, but a personal email or, better yet, a real letter or phone call from you makes a big difference. Tell something about yourself and the reasons that you want to stop this Slaughter of the Innocents.
Third. Watch your language. Why call an abortionist a doctor? Why call the unborn or preborn child a “fetus” or an “embryo”? Using Latin or Greek does not change reality. On the other hand, don’t call an abortion “murder.” It may be the moral equivalent of murder, but the term “kill” or “destroy” is more accurate.
Fourth. Volunteer now or contribute money now to your local pregnancy support center. There are about 78 in North Carolina. They make a real difference. The virus has been a real problem for the women (and men) they serve. As a result, the centers have been having a greater impact than ever before.
Finally. Stay in this fight for the long haul. Devotion to Molech and to Asherah has a very long history.
Paul “Skip” Stam
Articles
2019 – The Law does NOT protect the lives of children who survive an abortion
2019 – Chinese Christians – Abortion and Gendercide
2018 – Abortion Law in North Carolina
2016 – Abortion Reporting in HB465 – The Truth
