The State of Arkansas has passed into law a bill that aims to inform women that the effects of abortion are 'reversible.'
Last Monday, Arkansas State Governor Asa Hutchinson signed into law HB 1578, which, among others, will require physicians to inform women who are undergoing abortions that the effects can be reversible should they change their mind in the middle of the process.
The signing of this law comes after Gov. Hutchinson refused to pass into law the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which critics argue could open doors to widespread discrimination against members of the LGBT community in workplaces and businesses.
Hutchinson said on April 2 that he would not sign the RFRA, stating that it diverges from federal law.
The signing of HB 1578 was immediately met with criticism, mainly from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Abortion Federation.
ACLU executive director Rita Sklar claimed in an interview with THV11 that this law has "really one purpose."
"That is to make abortions more difficult," Sklar alleged.
The National Abortion Federation sent a full statement to THV11 in which the group accused the legislators of forcing physicians to provide abortion patients with inaccurate information.
"This law will force abortion providers to give patients information about medical abortion care that is unsubstantiated and not supported by evidence," the Federation said in its statement.
It went on to state that providing such information would compromise the safety and health of the patient.
"This is unacceptable and not how safe medical care of any kind is provided... It's unconscionable that health care providers in Arkansas will now be forced to give their patients medically inaccurate information that could be harmful to their health," the group's statement protested.
House Rep. Robin Lundstrum, one of the proponents of the bill, stated that the law is still about the woman's right. He said the law "does not stop" women from choosing to undergo abortion, but simply affirms the woman's right to information about the process.
