Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has signed a controversial bill that will require abortion providers to inform women that it is possible to undo the effects of an abortion that is induced by drugs.
The new law also prevents women from acquiring healthcare plans from the federal marketplace which include coverage for abortion, save for an exception that allows for insurance in instances of rape, incest, and when the life of the woman is put in danger.
The Republican Ducey followed through on his promise to the people of Arizona that he will be defending the "right to life," continuing the stance of Jan Brewer, the former governor of the state that likewise opposed abortion.
During the bill's final reading in the senate of Arizona, Republican Sen. Steve Smith said that abortions should not be paid by taxpayers, which would be the effect of the bill.
"It removes that gimmick, it removes that accounting creativity that is in Obamacare," Smith said.
However, Arizona State University, Arizona Republic and NBC affiliate joint project AZ Fact Check revealed last month that the United States government already prevents insurers from utilizing public funds for payments for elective abortions.
Opponents of the bill also criticized the requirement of the new law to inform patients that it is possible to reverse drug-induced abortions, stating that no science supports the claim.
Democrat State Sen. Katie Hobbs, who was against the passing of the bill, pointed out that there was no scientific evidence published in any scientific journal that supports the reversal of drug-induced abortions, which she claims is a medical malpractice that can result in birth defects.
Dr. Allan Sawyer, who was against the procedure of abortion, recently revealed that he was able to reverse a drug-induced abortion at the time of 10 weeks. However, the doctor admitted that it is not a widely known procedure to give women a drug named progesterone to reverse an abortion after the woman has taken the first of the two medications required for the procedure.
Abortion doctor Dr. Kathleen Morrell, a Physician for Reproductive Health advocate, said that the procedure to reverse a drug-induced abortion is not well-researched and is not supported by evidence.
Ducey did not release a comment regarding the requirement to inform women of the possible reversal of drug-induced abortions, only stating that he signed the bill into law to stop tax money from subsidizing abortions.
Under the Affordable Care Act, women pay an extra fee for optional coverage for abortion. Under the new law, women in Arizona will not be able to sign up for the coverage.
