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Doctors Must Tell Women Abortion Ends Life

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By Katie Janssen
Published: July 21, 2008, 5:28 PM
Updated: July 21, 2008, 4:24 PM

Doctors performing abortions in South Dakota are now required to tell any woman seeking an abortion, that the procedure ends a human life. 

It's part of a court decision to lift a preliminary injunction that prevented a section of the law from taking effect three years ago. 

The state's only abortion clinic, Planned Parenthood, challenged the language in a 2005 law, regarding what doctors must tell patients before an abortion. But now, that language has been allowed to take effect, and doctors must deliver patients a script about the abortion procedure either in person, in writing or over the phone. 

Before the procedure takes place, doctors must tell patients that "the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being." 

They must also include that "abortion increases the risk of suicide ideation and suicide." 

Planned Parenthood says it is complying with the court order, but wouldn't go on camera and wouldn't say if its doctors have actually delivered the script to patients. But the organization did say it's not seeing any patients Monday, and is hoping that given enough time, the court will find the law unconstitutional. 

The script must be delivered no sooner than two hours before an abortion, and the woman must sign a form saying she understands the information. 

Planned Parenthood says its lawyers are working on finding a solution, and are looking at moving forward with a trial. 

Beginning on July 1, doctors are also required to offer women seeking abortions a sonogram of their unborn child.  The woman does not have to accept.

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling




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