Abortion-clinic legislation is misguided
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Last week, my House colleagues passed legislation in response to the atrocities that authorities allege occurred in Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic in Philadelphia. The Senate could consider similar legislation as soon as today.
That it took so long to close the Gosnell clinic is a clear indictment of the state Department of Health's previous policy on inspections. But we've been so focused on the atrocities that we've failed to direct our attention to the bill itself.
Legislation shouldn't be measured by how large the original problem was, but rather by whether it would fix it. Unfortunately, that's where House Bill 574 fails miserably.
What would HB 574 actually do?
Among other things, it would mandate many changes to the physical structures of abortion clinics:
• Instead of allowing rooms of 150 square feet, they would have to be between 250 to 400 square feet.
• Heating, air conditioning and ventilating equipment would have to operate above a specific velocity.
• "Hospital-type elevators" would be required that could bear at least 3,500 pounds -- the weight of a Chevy Volt electric car.
The size of rooms, speed of air flow and type of elevators had nothing to do with the problems at the Gosnell clinic. As the indictment alleges, the problem was a man violating the law, shamelessly, for years.
If Mr. Gosnell's clinic had a larger elevator and better ventilation, it wouldn't have changed his ability to prey ruthlessly on vulnerable women. If his operating rooms were more expansive, it wouldn't have made him follow the Abortion Control Act, which makes it a crime to terminate a pregnancy at or after 24 weeks.
HB 574 wouldn't have put Mr. Gosnell out of business. Only inspections from the state Department of Health could have done that.
But the bill would put out of business those organizations that have scrupulously followed the law for decades to care for women in need.
Many health and abortion clinics would be required to completely renovate or move -- a process that can take a year and a half or more -- in only two months. They would be required to hire a full-time nurse, who would be paid even for days when no patients need surgery.
First Published May 23, 2011 12:00 am
