Wisconsin Legislature Passes Bill to Stop Infanticide, Protect Babies Born Alive After Abortions

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jun 5, 2019   |   2:38PM   |   Madison, WI

The Wisconsin state legislature has a passed a bill to stop infanticide and provide medical care and treatment for babies who survive abortions. The bill passed on a 17-14 vote with every Republican voting yes except Sen. Andre Jacque, who wanted an even stronger bill, and every Democrat voting no.

“No child should be left to die no matter how they came into this world,” said the bill’s lead sponsor, Republican Senate President Roger Roth. “How could anyone object to this?”

However, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a pro-abortion Democrat, said he will veto a bill to require doctors to provide medical care to infants who survive abortions. He claims the bill is unnecessary.

Republicans don’t have the votes to override a veto, according to an AP report — meaning babies can still be left to die if they survive a n abortion.

According to AP, the legislature also gave final approval to three other pro-life bills.

“Other bills passed would cut off Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, prohibit abortions based on the fetus’ race, sex or defects and require providers to tell women seeking abortions using the drug mifepristone that the process may be reversed after the first dose. All three passed on party line votes, with Republicans in support and Democrats against,” it reported.

SIGN THE PETITION: Stop Infanticide! Stop Abortions Up to Birth!

Currently, 19 states do not have laws requiring medical care for babies born alive after botched abortions, according to research by Americans United for Life. The Wisconsin State Journal reported in 1982 that two babies survived abortion attempts in Madison and later died.

“Under the bill, abortion providers would be required to care for babies that survive an abortion. Failure to do so would be a felony punishable by up to six years in prison and a provider convicted of killing such a baby would face life in prison,” according to news reports.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, as well as the personal testimonies of nurses and abortion survivors themselves, indicate that babies do sometimes survive abortions. According to the CDC, at least 143 babies were born alive after botched abortions between 2003 and 2014 in the U.S., though there may be more.

However, research by the American Center for Law and Justice estimated the number is much higher, at least 362 between 2001 and 2010.

Here’s more:

Our analysis is further supported by data from Canada that shows in the last reported ten years, “491 babies were left to die after they were born alive during abortions.”  A look at how these statistics are recorded by Canada’s official recording agency (also using ICD-10 code P96.4), explained here and here, further confirms the data recorded by the CDC.  In Britain it is reported that 50 babies are born alive as the result of botched abortions each year.  Additionally, an “estimated 44,000 abortion survivors” are living in the United States today.

Interestingly, one of Planned Parenthood’s own leaders once unintentionally admitted the need for such legislation. In 2013, during a hearing in the Florida legislature, Planned Parenthood lobbyist Alisa LaPolt Snow said the mother and doctor should be allowed to decide if a born-alive infant receives medical care. In other words, the baby could be denied medical care and left to die.

ACTION: Contact Governor Evers here or call 608-266-1212.