Re:What I learned trying to classify abortion access across ...
by rayiner on Monday July 18, 2022 @05:24PM
(#32143985)
No, Roe set the limit for elective abortions at viability, which is 22-24 weeks. Only a single European country allows elective abortions that late, the Netherlands. And that difference isn't inconsequential. In the Netherlands, almost 20% of abortions occur after the first trimester. In Germany, which has a 12-week ban, only 3% do (which reflects exceptions for medical emergencies and fetal abnormalities that are typical in Europe).
The Mississippi law at issue in Dobbs set a 15 week ban, with exceptions after that for medical emergencies and fetal abnormalities. That was consistent with both the consensus view in Europe, and American public opinion: https://www.wsj.com/articles/support-for-15-week-abortion-ba.... But under Roe, the Mississippi law was unconstitutional.
Re:What I learned trying to classify abortion access across ...
by tptacek on Tuesday July 19, 2022 @12:21AM
(#32147495)
In the US, pre-Dobbs, over 90% of abortions occur before the 13th week. I don't think there's a whole lot of evidence to be found that allowing later-term abortions shifts abortion timelines back. People who get abortions after 22 weeks are generally not doing so on a whim.
It would seem radical to deviate from your chosen standard to set a limit at 0 weeks. It does not seem radical to enforce a standard that is only one week different from the one you’ve chosen.