by Kathleen M. Gallagher

Abortion is a hot topic at the New York State Capitol these days, which is curious for a couple of reasons. First, the procedure was legalized here in 1970, three years before Roe v. Wade. And while the abortion lobby is declaring the need “to protect women’s freedom to choose,” no one can point to any evidence that the abortion choice is at risk. Quite simply, it’s not.

Second, it’s now crystal clear that New Yorkers have more than enough access to abortion. The numbers in our state show an abortion rate of 33 percent, compared to a national average of 19 percent. And a new statewide poll finds that New Yorkers – yes, even progressive, Democratic, pro-choice New Yorkers – say there is sufficient access to abortion here.

Enough already! Abortion ends the lives of developing children. When you peel back the masks of “freedom” and “choice,” the reality of abortion is revealed. It is unlike a tonsillectomy or an appendectomy because “no other medical procedure involves the purposeful termination of a potential life” (U.S. Supreme Court, Harris v. McRae).

Moreover, abortion hurts women. CNN just completed an online report which asked women, “Have you had an abortion? How do you feel about it now?” The vast number of responses were filled with suffering, guilt and regret. Stories of marriage breakdowns, depression, alcoholism. Even those who said they didn’t regret their abortion spoke of feeling “empty” and “numb.” Most women felt they had no “choice” at all.

Deep down, everyone knows abortion is not a “good.” That’s why elected officials who call themselves “pro-choice” continue to say they want to make abortion “rare.” That’s why 73 percent of New Yorkers believe abortion should be a “last resort,” according to the recent poll.

So let’s work together to give women real choices and decrease the devastation that abortion brings. Here are some suggestions for lawmakers:

• Drop the push to pass the so-called “Reproductive Health Act.” There is no piece of legislation that is less necessary or more dangerous than this one. New Yorkers overwhelmingly (80 percent) oppose unlimited abortion on demand through nine months of pregnancy, which this legislation would enshrine in our law. The goal is less abortion, not more.

• Restore funding for the Maternity & Early Childhood Foundation which funds prenatal care and parenting assistance for single, low-income young moms. The foundation was zeroed out in the proposed Executive Budget and lumped in with 88 other health-related programs, which would have to compete for reduced funding in a restructured process. Government needs to show at-risk mothers and infants that we can love them both.

• Make sure New York’s policies are family-friendly. Governor Cuomo gets it right when he aims to reasonably accommodate pregnant women in the workplace. Of course pregnant workers should be accommodated! I’ll never forget the time following the birth of my first child, when I discovered that my state disability payments lasted for six weeks, but licensed day care providers couldn’t take my baby until he was eight weeks old. Huh? What was I supposed to do for that two-week period? We need to fix any contradictions or discrimination in our law to ensure that our policies value childbirth and motherhood.

• Enact a “Woman’s Right to Know” law to give women considering abortion full information regarding the risks, alternatives and facts about the procedure, and sufficient reflection time to think it over. Thirty-five states have such laws on the books; not New York. Don’t New York women deserve fully informed consent?

• Promote adoption as a positive choice. How about tax deductions or credits for families who adopt? Or funding for agencies that provide pregnancy counseling and supportive services to frightened young girls at no cost?  This cost is ultimately passed on in adoption fees, which can become prohibitive for prospective adopting families. Or a state-financed public relations campaign to encourage adoption, particularly of special needs kids and children in foster care? Let’s communicate clearly that adoption is a viable option.

These five steps would move New York state in the right direction. Surely that’s an agenda everyone can live with![hr] Kathleen M. Gallagher is the director of Pro-Life Activities for the New York State Catholic Conference, Albany.