This is quite clearly a bill designed to push reproductive rights back to the Supreme Court. What has changed in abortion safety since the 2016 Whole Woman’s Health decision which, may I remind you, was supported by the American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Practitioners and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists? Studies and papers specifically focusing on access restrictions such as surgical center requirements found that  they led to a drastic reduction in reproductive health providers within affected counties, costing women precious money and time. Our country already has a dearth of medical professionals. Multiply that with the odds of any one doctor being an OB/GYN AND having hospital privileges AND the ability to afford the upkeep AND dealing with potentially violent protestors. The combination of these factors decreases clinic availability, causes congestion in the few open clinics, and ultimately leaves the most needy women - the young, sick, and poor - vulnerable. If a woman fears retribution from an abuser or has undergone a traumatic event resulting in pregnancy, how does extension of her suffering benefit her health? The stress and danger of reaching out for money or transportation only harms her and her fetus.

Please heed my message. Do not codify these amendments again.