Pulaski Times

U.S. Senator John Boozman from Arkansas has joined forces with Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma to introduce the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This legislation aims to ensure that newborns who survive abortions receive appropriate medical care from healthcare practitioners.

The proposed act outlines specific requirements for care, including hospital transfer obligations, mandatory reporting, and private rights of action for mothers. It also establishes criminal penalties for healthcare professionals who fail to comply with the law. The current legal framework lacks enforcement measures to protect these infants, which has led to instances where a child is left without care after a failed abortion attempt.

Senator Boozman emphasized the importance of upholding life dignity, stating, "Neglecting to provide life-saving care after a failed abortion is a cruel and inhumane violation of the oath every medical provider swears by to ‘do no harm.’ I am proud to join my colleagues to protect vulnerable babies regardless of the circumstances of their birth."

Senator Lankford added his perspective on the issue: "No child should be denied medical care simply because they are ‘unwanted.’ Today, if an abortion procedure fails and a child is born alive, doctors can just ignore the crying baby on the table and watch them slowly die of neglect. That’s not an abortion; that’s infanticide."

The legislation has received endorsements from various organizations such as March for Life Action, American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs Action, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, and many others.

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is cosponsored by several senators including Senate Majority Leader John Thune from South Dakota and other prominent figures like Mitch McConnell from Kentucky and Lindsey Graham from South Carolina.

For those interested in further details about this legislative proposal, additional information can be accessed through provided links.