Provides equal Medicare for infants born-alive as a result of abortion procedure/natural delivery with violations subject to criminal penalties for medical personnel/loss of license/civil action for damages.
The legislation will significantly amend existing health and safety laws within the state by enshrining the requirement for medical care for born-alive infants and imposing criminal penalties for healthcare professionals who neglect this duty. Those found guilty of failing to provide adequate care face serious consequences, including felony charges that may involve imprisonment or substantial fines. Furthermore, the bill facilitates civil actions for damages, thereby enabling the parents of these infants to seek redress for any malfeasance by healthcare providers.
Senate Bill S2420, known as the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, aims to provide legal protection and necessary medical care to infants born alive during abortion procedures. Asserting that such infants should be considered legal persons entitled to medical treatment, the bill enforces a mandate that healthcare providers must administer appropriate life-saving measures should an infant be born alive after an attempted abortion. The bill's proponents argue that it addresses a crucial gap in medical treatment for these infants, ensuring their health and well-being are prioritized, regardless of the circumstances leading to their birth.
Opposition to S2420 centers around concerns that it might infringe on existing reproductive rights and impose undue burdens on medical practitioners. Critics argue that the bill could complicate medical decisions in abortion contexts and challenge the autonomy of women facing such decisions. There are fears that healthcare providers may be penalized or face legal repercussions for making decisions they deem necessary in high-pressure and complex medical scenarios, potentially leading to a chilling effect on practice standards. The issue of legal personhood for infants born alive during abortion remains a contentious point in the broader debate regarding reproductive health rights.