What editorial writers are saying about state efforts to restrict abortion

Some groups hail the new laws for delivering information, but others see them limiting women's reproductive rights -- and interfering with medical practice.

Ultrasound mandates in abortions cross a line

Oklahoma law already requires that women considering abortion be told about ultrasounds (a sensible requirement), and no one has explained why more is needed. States don't prescribe the tests cancer patients must have, or what doctors must say to them. The government leaves that to the medical profession, where it belongs. USA Today, May 10

Abortion isn't painless

No doubt, the abortion lobby will ask the courts to overturn Nebraska's new pro-life law. Whatever is decided by the courts in their convoluted version of wisdom, or lack thereof, the debate itself will further focus attention on the moral nature of the abortion act itself. The outcome, just as it was after the debates over partial-birth abortion, is likely to be a further public revulsion against abortion and against the cultists of death who morbidly agitate in favor of abortion as a public good. Washington Times, April 16

Abortion bill begs veto

In mandating that women seeking abortions must have an ultrasound, the [Florida] Legislature is dictating medical treatment, something it doesn't do for men seeking vasectomies, for children getting their tonsils removed, for patients undergoing plastic surgery or for any other medical procedure. The Legislature is targeting a single class of citizens in order to make it more difficult for women to obtain a medical procedure that is still very much legal in this state. Miami Herald, May 11

Abortion sneak attack

The push to radically expand the ultrasound requirement is coming from the same [Florida] Legislature whose leaders have been spearheading the charge against government mandates under the new federal health care reform law. Yet supporters of this proposal would have government compel more women to pay for a procedure, and would dictate how their doctors practice medicine. Orlando Sentinel, April 30

Oklahoma is latest abortion rights battleground

No one wants to see abortions increase. A civil and respectful discussion about how to reduce abortions has been sorely lacking in political discussions. But trying to shame women facing a difficult choice accomplishes nothing while leaving both sides polarized. As they have been, for nearly 40 years. New Jersey Star-Ledger, May 5