“I’ve never encountered a proposal more dangerous for women’s health.”
– Dr. Erica Kreller, OB/GYN on Prop 139
I cringe every time I hear activists say, “abortion is healthcare.” No, abortion doesn’t care for the health of either the unborn baby or the mother; it ends one life and greatly harms the other.
Doctor Erica Kreller, an OB/GYN in Gilbert and co-founder of Arizona Physicians Against Prop 139, dispels some of the myths abortion activists are feeding Arizona voters about the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. She starts with the same premise: Abortion is NOT healthcare, “As a physician, I’ve treated women who were led to believe that abortion was a quick solution to their problems, only to experience lasting trauma—both physically and emotionally.” Dr. Kreller penned an op-ed in AZ Free News, tearing down the false and dangerous claims by abortion activists who say Prop 139 is necessary to care for women’s health.
“Under Prop. 139, regulations that protect women during abortion procedures would be outlawed. Imagine a teenager seeking an abortion—shouldn’t her physician be required to explain the potential risks and ensure she understands her options? Under this amendment, such a requirement would become illegal. Mandatory ultrasounds to detect dangerous conditions like ectopic pregnancies? Illegal. Parental consent for minors? Also illegal. Requiring that a licensed physician perform the procedure? Illegal.”
Dr. Kreller fears what will happen to girls and women who get abortions or the abortion pill from inexperienced healthcare providers when the medical doctor is removed, “This isn’t a return to reproductive rights; it’s a step back into the unsafe, unregulated, and dangerous world of back-alley abortions— but this time, with legal protection. The risk of botched procedures, infections, infertility, and even death would rise dramatically. Women will pay the price.”
Arizona law protects miscarriage treatment, even excluding it from the definition of abortion. But what about those late term complications proponents argue won’t be addressed without Prop 139? After more than a decade of treating patients with high-risk pregnancies and complications, Dr. Kreller refutes Prop 139 proponents who claim women won’t get care for late term complications or loss without the radical abortion amendment. She says Arizona’s current 15-week limit provides the exception of medical emergency, which covers physicians treating such patients.
Physicians don’t have to wait for a crisis, the mere risk of an infection or other serious condition caused by later term complications is enough to allow physicians to induce labor, even if the unborn baby cannot survive outside the womb. Attorney General Kris Mayes affirmed this in a guidance memo back in June, stating, “Nothing in the statutory language requires the treating physician to delay providing an abortion as necessary medical care until, for instance, the patient is in sepsis, hemorrhaging, or otherwise at death’s door.”
Still, nearly three months after AG Mayes debunked the false claim, proponents are feverishly telling voters the opposite in an effort to get their extreme abortion amendment over the finish line. Don’t believe the lies.
Healthcare professionals against Arizona’s abortion amendment have signed a declaration opposing Prop 139. You can see the list here or hereand sign it if you are a healthcare professional.
Polls show support for Prop 139 dropping. We all have to do our part to defeat it and these last three weeks are critical. Click here to get involved, or here to learn more about it.
Watch and listen here to the It Goes Too Far Campaign on KTAR correct some of the other misinformation spread by opponents.
Another great way to help spread the word is sharing short videos on social media and with friends and family. Click here to access several videos that address the many concerns about Prop 139.
And follow us and the campaign against the amendment @azpolicy and @itgoestoofar.
Haven’t Yet Received Your Early Ballot?
We have heard from many voters who have not yet received their early ballots. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer tells me all early ballots have been mailed out. If you still have not received yours and you know you are signed up for an early ballot, you can check here to see if/when it was sent out. The problems appear to lie more with when the United States Postal Services delivers the ballots.
If you don’t get the answers you need there, you can contact elections officials in Maricopa County at 602-506-151 or Pima County at 520-724-4330. Other county recorder’s contact information can be found here. That is also where you can find an early voting location in your county.
Click here to check if you are registered to vote or have signed up to receive an early ballot.
General Election Prayer Rally
Join us Sunday, November 3, we will gather at the Arizona Capitol on the House Lawn to pray for the General Election, the candidates, our nation, and our state.
You are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, as no seating will be provided. Children are welcome to attend. Worship begins at 2:30, and prayer begins at 3:00.
Education Voter Guide
You know about CAP’s AZ Voter Guide, which we produce every election year, but now, on behalf of the Arizona Christian Education Coalition and others, our CAP team has produced an AZ Education Voter Guide to help voters determine which candidates align with their values specifically on educating children. This guide focuses only on candidates for state senate and state house.
Visit azeducationvoterguide.com to learn more. Visit azvoterguide.com for a broader look at general election candidates and issues.
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