HB854 looks like another dose of political posturing. It would require persons about to have an abortion to receive a packet of information, a view of the unborn child in real-time, and a “specified narrative” before following through. Representative Ray Rapp (D-Madison) does not support the bill:
“The real issue,” Rapp explained, “is interference with the doctor-patient relationship.” He referred to a letter received from Dr. William Meyer, president of the N.C. Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, that termed HB 854 “an intrusion into the physician-patient relationship,” stating that that for the government to insert itself into that relationship “with no insight or knowledge of specific situational details, no ability to resolve difficult human conditions, is wrong” and “sets a dangerous precedent where government will be directing physicians on what procedures they should be required to perform on patients.”
Journalist Nelda Holder notes nothing prevents the woman from setting aside the documents, closing her eyes, and putting her fingers in her ears. . . . And thus we see, with no real need for evidence, that party alignment on the doctor-patient relationship flip-flops when politically expedient.
