Which states allow late term abortion? This is a topic that has sparked significant debate and controversy in recent years. As the debate over reproductive rights continues to evolve, understanding the varying laws across different states is crucial. This article delves into the current landscape of late term abortion laws in the United States, highlighting the states that permit this procedure and the challenges they face.
In the United States, the legality of late term abortion has been a contentious issue, with many states imposing strict regulations or outright bans on the procedure. Late term abortion refers to the termination of a pregnancy after 20 weeks of gestation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 1.3% of all abortions in the United States occur after 21 weeks of pregnancy.
The legality of late term abortion varies widely among the states. Currently, there are 14 states that allow late term abortion under certain circumstances. These states include California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. These states generally follow the guidelines set forth by the Supreme Court in the landmark case Roe v. Wade (1973), which held that a woman has a constitutional right to an abortion before viability, and that this right does not end when the fetus becomes viable.
In the states that permit late term abortion, certain restrictions may apply. For example, in California, a woman must obtain an abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy only if her life is at risk, or if she has a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. Similarly, in New York, a woman must obtain an abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy only if her life is at risk, or if there is a severe risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.
Despite the legal allowance of late term abortion in these states, many clinics have stopped performing the procedure due to the increased legal and ethical challenges. The restrictions and bans imposed by other states have led to a situation where women seeking late term abortion must travel long distances to access the procedure, if it is available at all.
The debate over late term abortion laws in the United States is complex and multifaceted. Proponents of late term abortion argue that it is a necessary option for women facing severe medical conditions, fetal abnormalities, or other life-threatening circumstances. They also emphasize the importance of privacy and the right to make decisions about one’s own body.
Opponents of late term abortion, on the other hand, argue that the procedure is morally wrong and that it violates the rights of the fetus. They often cite concerns about the potential for abortion to become more accessible and argue that the procedure should be limited to early stages of pregnancy.
In conclusion, the question of which states allow late term abortion is a significant issue in the ongoing debate over reproductive rights. While 14 states currently permit the procedure under certain circumstances, the challenges faced by clinics and the legal and ethical debates surrounding late term abortion continue to shape the landscape of reproductive rights in the United States.
