Sebelius vetoes abortion bill

By David Klepper

Apr. 23, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune News Service delivered by Newstex) -- TOPEKA, Kan. -- Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius stuck to her ideological guns Thursday, vetoing legislation that would have imposed new requirements on late-term abortion.

Sebelius has vetoed similar measures in the past, but Thursday's action comes as she awaits a final vote by the U.S. Senate on her nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Anti-abortion groups oppose her nomination based on her support for abortion rights and her ties to late-term abortion provider George Tiller of Wichita, Kan.

The legislation would have required late-term abortion providers to report to state health officials the specific medical diagnoses used the justify the otherwise illegal procedure. Late-term abortions are prohibited unless necessary to save the life of the women or prevent a serious medical threat. Many lawmakers say they think late-term abortion providers like Tiller should have to report just what medical condition required the procedure.

The measure would also require abortion providers to include in the written information they give women prior to an abortion that the procedure will eliminate a "whole, separate, unique, living human being."

The bill also contains some slight changes to current restrictions on late-term abortion, and a new definition of partial-birth abortion which matches federal law.

But in vetoing the bill, Sebelius, a Democrat, seized on provisions that would give prosecutors more flexibility in charging abortion providers who violate the law.

Sebelius said the bill would not have reduced abortions and would likely be unconstitutional.

"The provisions in this bill that would allow for the criminal prosecution of a physician intending to comply with the law will lead to the intimidation of health care providers and reduce access to comprehensive health care for women, even when it is necessary to preserve their lives and health," she wrote in a statement announcing the veto.

"While I agree that we should try to reduce the number of abortions, it cannot be at the increased risk to the life or health of women."

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