New bill would require doctors to inform women about life-saving abortion pill reversal
Caroline MolloyIn a new push to protect unborn lives and strengthen informed consent, U.S. Rep. August Pfluger, TX-1, has introduced the Second Chance at Life Act, a bill requiring women be told about the possibility of reversing the abortion pill.
“Far too often, women are pressured into taking the abortion pill without being fully informed of all their options,” Pfluger said in a Sept. 18 press release announcing the bill. “Tragically, many later express deep regret as they come to terms with the loss of their unborn child.”
The bill would create a federal informed consent standard requiring providers to disclose the possibility of reversing the abortion pill’s effects.
Pfluger called it “unacceptable” that women are denied the truth about abortion pill reversal — a life-saving protocol that can give mothers the chance to preserve their unborn children if they act quickly after taking the first dose of a chemical abortion.
“This will empower women to make fully informed choices at every stage of the process,” Pfluger said, “protecting their right to know the full details before taking any medication and safeguarding their unborn child’s chance at life.”
The measure is co-sponsored by more than a dozen Republican lawmakers, including Reps. Sheri Biggs, SC-03, Marlin Stutzman, IN-03, and Dan Crenshaw, TX-02.
“No woman should be denied the chance to save her child,” Biggs said in the release. “The Second Chance at Life Act ensures they get that information before taking action that would end the life of their innocent unborn baby.”
Stutzman emphasized the bill’s goal of saving lives and increasing accountability for providers.
“To save lives, it is essential that expecting mothers know they have the opportunity to save their baby’s life after choosing to start a chemical abortion,” he said.
Pro-life advocacy groups have also lined up behind the legislation.
“Women deserve the truth — both about the dangers of abortion drugs and the life-saving option of Abortion Pill Reversal,” said Marilyn Musgrave of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
