Bill Overview
Title: PRENDA Act of 2022
Description: This bill creates new federal crimes related to the performance of sex-selection abortions (i.e., abortions based on the sex or gender of an unborn child). It subjects a violator to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. It also authorizes civil remedies, including damages and injunctive relief. A woman who undergoes a sex-selection abortion may not be prosecuted or held civilly liable.
Sponsors: Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved or potentially affected by sex-selection abortions
Estimated Size: 10000
- The bill targets sex-selection abortions, which are a subset of all abortion procedures.
- Sex-selection abortions are more common in certain cultural contexts and less prevalent in the United States and many Western countries.
- Criminalization and civil penalty provisions will directly affect healthcare providers who might perform such abortions.
- Women who seek these types of abortions are impacted insofar as their access to these procedures is restricted, but they themselves are not criminalized according to the bill.
Reasoning
- The target population for this bill appears to be very small in the United States, affecting primarily healthcare providers and a small number of individuals considering sex-selection abortions.
- Given the bill's focus, it impacts predominantly medical and ethical decision-making, with limited direct effect on the general public.
- The wellbeing effects are mostly indirect, through possible changes to healthcare providers' practices and stressors related to legal implications.
- Cultural backgrounds where sex-selection might be more prevalent could experience more pronounced effects, although such cases in the U.S. are assumed to be rare.
Simulated Interviews
Obstetrician (New York City, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the intention behind the bill, but as a practitioner, it adds an extra layer of vigilance during consultations.
- This bill may cause unintended stress on providing thorough prenatal care in certain communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems largely irrelevant to me personally, but I worry about its broader implications on reproductive rights and healthcare access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Prenatal Counselor (Chicago, IL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My job is to guide clients through tough decisions; this may limit some clients' honest conversations, fearing legal repercussions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Family Physician (Houston, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My primary concern is about further complicating the patient-physician relationship with legal restrictions.
- The policy feels unnecessary in our current settings where such practices are uncommon.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Graduate Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am concerned about how this bill might affect cultural biases and ethical considerations.
- There seems to be a lack of understanding of how rare these abortions are here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Healthcare Administrator (Boston, MA)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see administrative burdens increasing with policy enforcements, which could redirect resources from patient care.
- This policy might lead to unnecessary tensions within our patient demographic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I do not directly benefit or suffer from this policy, I worry about how it reflects larger shifts in women's rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Public Health Researcher (Seattle, WA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Research into these laws suggests limited practical impact, but they may have symbolic consequences discouraging open healthcare discussions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Mid-Level Healthcare Practitioner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation could steer patients away from seeking healthcare in fear of judgment or misunderstandings.
- I feel moderate stress around potential legal misunderstandings and queries from patients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Registered Nurse (Las Vegas, NV)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fear this policy could alter patient trust and our role as healthcare providers.
- It's another factor increasing work-related stress regarding legal compliance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $8000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $8000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $8000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $8000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $8000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $8000000)
Key Considerations
- The number of sex-selection abortions in the U.S. is minimal, affecting the associated cost and enforcement complexity.
- Healthcare providers, not women, are subject to penalties, isolating the cost impact on regulatory compliance and enforcement.
- Enforcement will rely on existing federal structures for dealing with criminal activities.