POLITICS

Abortion advocates take aim at HB467

Mar 1, 2023, 6:51 PM | Updated: Mar 2, 2023, 7:17 am

SALT LAKE CITY — As Utah’s trigger law banning almost all abortions remains caught up in court, abortion rights advocates slammed a bill making its way through the legislature that would end licensing for clinics and require almost all abortions be performed at hospitals.

“It is absolutely disheartening to think that this legislation can take from me my right to care for everyone,” said Jasmin Charles, clinical director at SUPeRAD Clinic.

Charles said HB467 would limit the care she provides as a physician’s assistant at a clinic that cares for pregnant women with substance use disorder.

“I know we all like to go home and think it doesn’t affect us, but every one of us will be affected in some way or other,” she said.

Charles was one of seven speakers who took aim at the bill during a press conference at the Utah Capitol on Wednesday.

“This bill could effectively end abortion access in Utah except in narrow and extreme circumstances,” said Jason Stevenson, director of public policy at Planned Parenthood of Utah.

“It’s not just bad policy, it’s dangerous policy that hurts patients, providers and Utah’s reputation as a safe place to start a family.”

HB467 would stop licensing for elective abortion clinics in the state. It would also require abortions to be performed in hospitals with limited exceptions. Out-of-state providers wouldn’t be able to prescribe drugs to Utahns to cause an abortion. It also puts a limit on abortions due to rape or incest so survivors wouldn’t be able to get an abortion after 18 weeks.

“The bill will end the licensing of abortion clinics because we are not going to have abortion clinics in this state anymore,” Mary Taylor, president of Pro-Life Utah, said. “We don’t want elective abortions in the state of Utah. We anticipate that will come to an end really soon.”

Taylor said the bill is meant to address concerns that came up when Utah’s trigger law went into effect over the summer. A lawsuit and an injunction followed, and that bill is still held up in court.

“Abortion is not women’s health care,” Taylor said. “No other health care on this planet takes the life of another human being.”

Planned Parenthood said the bill treats more than 3,000 patients who need abortion care each year as second-class citizens.

“Having an abortion saved my life,” Candida Taveras said during the press conference. “I was able to work on my mental health, improve my living situation and live a life that was right for me.”

Taveras now works for Planned Parenthood of Utah.

HB467 still needs another vote in the Senate before it heads back to the House. Abortion advocates worry targeting clinics won’t just impact abortion care but other care those clinics provide.

“That’s their access to contraception. That’s their access to sexually-transmitted infection treatment,” Charles said.

Brittany Nystrom is the executive director at ACLU of Utah, which is currently involved in the lawsuit against Utah’s trigger law. She said they would challenge any “legislative attempts to significantly limit a person’s reproductive freedom — including the right to decide if and when to become a parent.”

“People, not politicians, should be free to make their own decisions about abortion care,” Nystrom said.

KSL 5 TV Live

Top Stories

Politics

Fernando Perez, El Salvador consul general, talks with Jose Aviles at the consulate of El Salvador ...
Sydnee Gonzalez

New Salt Lake consulate already helping many of the 20,000 Salvadorans in Utah

Salvadorans in Utah finally had their requests for a consulate answered earlier this month.
1 day ago
Associated Press

Judge orders anonymous jury for Trump rape lawsuit trial

NEW YORK (AP) — Jurors’ names will be kept secret at the upcoming civil trial in a writer’s rape lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, a judge ruled Thursday, citing “a very strong risk” they would otherwise face harassment and more. Anonymous juries are unusual, particularly outside criminal cases. The Associated Press and the Daily […]
2 days ago
A West High School employee holds a Pride flag and an updated Pride flag that includes colors for t...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko

Utah codifies ban on ‘conversion therapy’ for minors

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill to ban so-called conversion therapy on minors.
2 days ago
(Pool photo)...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko

Utah governor signs ‘historic’ $400M tax cut

Gov. Spencer Cox signed a series of bills that lower the state income tax rate from 4.85% to 4.65%, including a $400 million tax cut.
3 days ago
(KSL TV)...
Matt Rascon

Gov. Cox kicks off ‘Connecting Utah’ tour at Tooele High School

Gov. Spencer Cox was in Tooele on Monday, the first stop in a tour that will take him across the state hearing from local leaders, families and students.
5 days ago
Salt Lake City domestic violence conference...
Karah Brackin

Utah leaders address domestic violence solutions

State, community, safety leaders, and stakeholders gathered in Salt Lake City Friday for a second meeting to address responding to domestic violence and assault in Utah.
8 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...
BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.
Close up of an offset printing machine during production...
Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.
vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...
Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.
Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...
Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.
notebook with password notes highlighted...
PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.
house with for rent sign posted...
Chase Harrington, president and COO of Entrata

Top 5 Reasons You May Want to Consider Apartment Life Over Owning a Home

There are many benefits of renting that can be overshadowed by the allure of buying a home. Here are five reasons why renting might be right for you.
Abortion advocates take aim at HB467