Bill Overview
Title: Partial Birth Abortion Is Murder Act
Description: This bill increases criminal penalties for knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion.
Sponsors: Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in partial-birth abortions, such as patients and healthcare providers
Estimated Size: 100000
- Partial-birth abortion refers to a specific procedure generally performed later in a pregnancy.
- The legislation targets medical professionals who perform partial-birth abortions, increasing legal penalties for such actions.
- Pregnant individuals seeking abortions that are identified as 'partial-birth' will be directly impacted, as the availability of such procedures might decrease.
- Medical facilities and staff offering abortion services may be affected by increased legal risks and may need to adjust their protocols.
- Activists and organizations on both sides of the abortion debate may be impacted, as the legislation plays into broader abortion rights discussions.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy primarily includes pregnant individuals seeking late-term abortions and healthcare providers who perform such procedures. The law aims to penalize partial-birth abortions, potentially decreasing their availability.
- The budget must cover legal enforcement and potentially litigations or administrative costs associated with increased penalties. It is challenging to predict exact costs due to the complexity of state and federal legal systems.
- Given the limited budget and significant controversy surrounding abortion, the policy may have more symbolic than practical effect, resulting in limited practical impact on large numbers of abortions performed.
- Demographic considerations include women of various ages, primarily those who may be considering late-term abortions due to medical or other significant personal reasons.
- Certain states with more liberal abortion laws may see more direct impacts, as healthcare providers adjust their practices to avoid legal repercussions. Thus, effects may vary significantly by geographic location in the U.S.
- In projecting self-reported wellbeing, those who might have sought partial-birth procedures might experience increased stress and anxiety if the policy restricts access. Healthcare providers may feel threatened by increased legal risks.
Simulated Interviews
HR manager (California)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe women should have the choice, especially when faced with heartbreaking decisions due to the fetus's health.
- Increased penalties just add more stress to an already traumatic situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
OB/GYN (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The legislation feels like an infringement on medical practice.
- It will likely increase the cost of medical malpractice insurance and potentially reduce service offerings.
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 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Stay-at-home mom (Ohio)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not directly affected now, but I think about how this could have impacted me a few years ago.
- Policies feel like they're moving backward rather than understanding women's realities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Healthcare Executive (New York)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will push partial-birth procedures underground, creating unsafe environments.
- We are already revising protocols to ensure compliance and safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Legal Analyst (Florida)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation could lead to an increase in legal challenges and a complicated landscape for reproductive rights.
- It's significant in polarizing the already contentious issue of abortion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Nurse Practitioner (Illinois)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a concerning shift towards limiting reproductive health services available.
- I worry about patients who may have fewer options and what it means for their autonomy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
College Student (Colorado)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation threatens the rights and health of women.
- It signals a dangerous trend of control over personal choices.
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 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
State Senator (Alabama)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this legislation is a moral victory and necessary to protect life.
- It reflects the values we should uphold in our legal system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Reproductive Rights Attorney (Nevada)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation adds another layer of complexity for the courts.
- It's likely to be challenged, requiring significant legal resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Non-profit Director (Washington D.C.)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This law could increase stigma and decrease access to critical healthcare services.
- Potentially, it might actually galvanize support for reproductive rights advocacy.
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 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $20000000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $20000000)
Key Considerations
- The legal landscape concerning abortion is highly contentious, leading to potential court challenges that could delay or affect the implementation of the bill.
- State-level opposition or support may affect how the policy is enforced, with some states potentially resisting federal mandates.
- The potential for social unrest or boycotts could impact various sectors beyond the immediate focus of the bill, influencing broader economic evaluations.