Nebraska lawmakers considering abortion exception for fatal fetal anomaly

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Lawmakers and community members sat in the Nebraska state capitol on Thursday listening to Sen. Merv Riepe’s remarks on his bill.

It’s known as LB 1109, which could potentially give more flexibility to those who decide to get an abortion.

“We’re stuck in a complex place of identifying the rights of an individual, the rights of the preborn, and the application of modern medicine,” Riepe said.

LB 1109 would allow people to get an abortion within 20 weeks into a pregnancy with the exception of fatal fetal anomaly. This is described as a situation when doctors do not expect a child to survive after birth.

“It’s designed to require that not one but two practitioners make the diagnosis and stand behind it that death is likely the outcome,” Riepe said.

The bill states those two doctors are then required to put in ‘writing’ a medical emergency existed for an abortion to be performed. It would also protect the mother and doctors from receiving a penalty for the abortion.

Those in favor of the bill argued it’s a decision entirely based on the parents. Others who were against it said it’s unfair to the unborn child.

“It’s a health care option for those who want a child that nature gave them the short end of the stick,” Tiffany Palmer said.

“It would be unjust to allow Nebraskans to intentionally end the life of an innocent child,” Isabella Orsi said. “It’s still growing in their child’s womb, just because that child is considered less than due to their physical condition.”

This bill also proposes that abortions performed because of sexual assault and incest within those 20 weeks must also be certified in writing.

Currently, it’s allowed in the state for any expecting mother to get an abortion within 12 weeks of a pregnancy.

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