I found the editorial on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Reproductive Health Act ("A Senate snag on women's rights?" Feb. 3) to be misleading.
According to the editorial, the RHA simply "asks lawmakers to affirm a woman's right to make a health care choice that some people and politicians would prefer to make for her."
Not quite. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "late-term abortion expansion bill" would do much more. The editorial neglects to mention that RHA would allow people other than doctors to perform abortions and would also let outpatient clinics provide late-term abortions. As a woman, and as a registered nurse, I believe these provisions would endanger women, not empower us or help us lead healthier lives.
The RHA would allow many more people to perform abortions. It's likely that higher numbers of abortions would take place. Already, a grievously high number of abortions, more than 100,000 per year, are performed in New York. I do not believe it is possible for anyone, in good conscience, to support a proposal that would increase that number.
If Cuomo wants to promote the health of women and girls, he should propose comprehensive informed consent, mandatory ultrasound with a 72-hour waiting period and parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor.
The consent will make sure the woman/child knows the risks and benefits and protect the conscience of the maturing female who might regret a choice of youth. The ultrasound will provide a reality of the life within and again protect the conscience. Parental consent will safeguard some victims of human trafficking and protect parental rights to provide and maintain proper health for their child.
Are some senators speaking for religious leaders who oppose abortion because they believe life is God's domain?
Those leaders and their congregants need to speak out against abortion, to keep abortion in the penal code. Some people consider abortion an act of cowardice or lack of faith.
MIMI BROWN
Troy