Handful of abortion-related bills introduced on first day

Feb. 09--CHARLESTON -- At least five abortion-related bills were introduced Wednesday at the West Virginia Legislature, including prohibitions of state funding and insurance coverage for abortion services.

House Bill 2082, sponsored by Delegate Ralph Rodighiero, D-Logan, would amend state code to prohibit state funding of abortions.

HB 2053, also sponsored by Rodighiero, requires abortion-providing facilities to obtain parental notification or consent in writing. If the facility does not comply, it will be charged 10 times the cost of the abortion for the first offense, and will be required to close for 30 days for every subsequent offense.

The bill text is not yet available for Senate Bill 20, 21 or 31, all sponsored by Sen. Robert L. Karnes, R-Upshur, but the summaries are as follows: "Limiting insurance coverage for elective abortions," "Relating to care of aborted fetuses," and "Prohibiting abortion coverage in qualified health plans."

Ray Lambert, chairman of West Virginia Family Foundation, said as a Christian, he believes life begins at conception.

"I oppose the use of my tax money to pay for abortions on a state level," he shared. He said he also supports requiring parental notification or consent before a procedure, as parents have a say in their child's health.

While Lambert noted some exceptions must be considered for the health of the child's mother, he said he supports these bills that allow for the opportunity of life.

In a previous interview with The Register-Herald, Margaret Chapman Pomponio, executive director at WV Free, said West Virginians are faced every year with scores of bills aimed at limiting a woman's ability to access health care.

"Most West Virginians don't want the Legislature taking up so much time on regressive legislation," Pomponio said.

She said it all boils down to how the question is framed. If the circumstance is personalized, she said people oftentimes will understand the decision is the woman's alone to make.

"I think it's important that we create a society that is compassionate toward women who need to make personal reproductive health decisions," Pomponio said. "Anything regarding reproductive health is stigmatized... We need to trust women and respect women enough to believe they're going to make the best decision for themselves."

-- Email: wholdren@register-herald.com and follow on Twitter @WendyHoldren

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