Abortion

The issue of abortion holds importance for America today. This policy paper is written to consider changes in the state and/or Federal laws that regulate abortion, and to conceive of a political strategy for putting these changes into place. In the first part of the paper, I look at the current state and Federal laws relevant to abortion, as well as the consequences of the current rules in place. In the second part of the paper, I identify a specific set of policy changes designed to improve how we regulate abortion. In the third part of the paper, I consider common objections and concerns relevant to these policy changes, and develop talking points to use as part of an organizing plan designed to put these policy changes in place. In the fourth and final part of the paper, I develop the outlines of a political strategy designed to put these changes into place. Here I consider what community partners are likely to be supportive of these policy changes, do an analysis of driving and restraining forces in relationship to this policy issue, and detail how advocates for these policy changes can get a better set of laws passed.
Abortion is not always the best or only option in the case of an unwanted pregnancy, but it is in place as an option for women in multiple personal situations. According to the Planned Parenthood website there are 2 different types of abortion in the U.S., which is the in clinic abortion and the abortion pill. Planned Parenthood website also states that abortions are very common and 1 out of 3 women in the U.S. have an abortion by the time they are 45 years old. The actual definition of an abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. There are many arguments over what is being terminated. Pro-life activist will argue that it is a termination of a baby and an actual life as they believe that life starts at conception and others argue that it is not a life yet. The discussion in this paper is not whether an abortion is morally right or morally wrong, but that the choice is there if for a woman if she chooses to do that with her body. There are states, such as California, that have a more lenient abortion laws and there are some states where they make it almost impossible to get an abortion. The time of pregnancy where an abortion is performed are referred to differently depending on what stage of the pregnancy it is performed in. “An "early abortion" generally refers to an abortion that occurs before the 12th completed week of gestation (first trimester); "late abortion" generally refers to an abortion that occurs after the 20th week of gestation. A "spontaneous abortion" is the medical term for a miscarriage. This term is very important for pro-life activists to remember, because many medical statistical categories and subsequent medical treatments (such as delivery of a child) do not distinguish between intentional and spontaneous abortion”(ALL).
In clinic abortions are medical procedures that end pregnancy and it is very safe and effective. Planned Parenthood offers this service at their health centers. The abortions “cost about $300 to $950 in the first trimester and the cost is usually more for a second-trimester abortion. Costs vary depending on how long you've been pregnant and where you go. Hospitals generally cost more” (Planned Parenthood). First a woman has to meet with a health care provider and then talk about the different methods of abortion. If a woman is under 18, depends which state, but it may require the under aged woman to obtain one or both of their parent’s permission they must be informed about the abortion. In most states you can ask a judge to excuse you from the requirements. There are two kinds of in clinic abortions. The most common is called aspiration. “It is also known as vacuum aspiration. Aspiration is usually used up to 16 weeks after a woman’s last period”(Planned Parenthood). When this procedure is happening a woman will get a sedative so she is awake but