Bill Overview
Title: Respectful Treatment of Unborn Remains Act of 2022
Description: This bill prohibits abortion providers from placing fetal remains into a publicly owned water system. Violators shall be subject to a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. The bill also specifies that individuals on whom an abortion is performed shall not be liable for violations.
Sponsors: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by abortion legislation
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill directly impacts abortion providers as it imposes legal requirements and potential penalties on them regarding the disposal of fetal remains.
- Individuals seeking abortions are indirectly affected since the bill stipulates they shall not be liable, providing them legal protection from prosecution.
- Medical professionals working in abortion care services could face operational changes or compliance requirements.
- The bill may affect public water systems indirectly as it regulates what can be introduced into these systems.
- The bill reflects and could influence public attitudes and policies about abortion, thus potentially affecting advocacy groups and policymakers.
Reasoning
- The policy is primarily focused on abortion providers and not directly on individuals who have abortions. However, it can have secondary implications for those seeking abortions, healthcare providers, and the broader public given its impact on water safety and waste management.
- The budget implies a focus on enforcement and compliance rather than direct services to individuals. Abortion providers may face increased operational costs, potentially affecting access to services.
- Public perception and implications for advocacy groups could both influence and be influenced by this law, potentially affecting broader societal attitudes and policies.
- The population covered in this simulation should include diverse roles like healthcare providers, individuals indirectly affected, and advocacy group members, to highlight the range of effects.
Simulated Interviews
Nurse in an abortion clinic (Austin, Texas)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support regulations that aim to ensure safety, but unnecessary regulations increase stress on resources and might decrease service accessibility.
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 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Advocacy group volunteer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is just another attempt to restrict reproductive rights under the guise of regulation.
- I'm worried about the long-term implications of such policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Water treatment facility manager (Des Moines, Iowa)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need clear guidelines to ensure compliance, but it's crucial that the bill's enforcement doesn't become a burden.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Director of a small abortion clinic (Birmingham, Alabama)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The law seems to add unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and stress without clear benefits to healthcare or safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Law student specializing in reproductive rights (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could set a precedent for more restrictive measures.
- I worry about the implications for future legal cases in this area.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Public health researcher (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The focus on fetal remains should be contextualized within broader healthcare outcomes and access issues.
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 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Policy analyst (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's critical to evaluate the bill's necessity and its overall cost to public health versus benefits.
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 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Social worker (Miami, Florida)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned this will add stigma to those already facing difficult health decisions.
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 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Retired, former obstetrician (New York City, New York)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The regulations should focus on pragmatic rather than politically charged measures to ensure both ethics and healthcare are upheld.
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 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Pastor (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with my moral beliefs and pushes towards increased respect for life.
- It is important that the community views it as a step towards ethical progress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Key Considerations
- The primary costs are associated with regulatory enforcement and legal administration.
- Individuals seeking abortions remain protected and not liable, focusing all compliance efforts on providers.
- Operational changes required for compliance may vary significantly among providers, depending on their waste management practices.