Provider Refusal

The bill’s provider refusal language makes it more difficult for women to find health care professionals who will provide her with complete and accurate information and access to abortion care and emergency contraception. This regulation would disrupt Arizona’s health care delivery system at a time when more and more families are uninsured and under economic assault, fueling our health care crisis by denying women’s access to quality, affordable basic care.

The bill jeopardizes a patient’s right to know all her options by allowing providers to withhold critical health care services and information women need to make fully informed decisions about their health care, based on their personal biases; which means patients may not even be aware that they are not getting complete information.  There are already federal and state laws in place that protect medical professionals.

Judicial Bypass

This legislation will add additonal requirements upon a judge when considering allowing a pregnant minor to have an abortion without parental consent.  The burden of proof and factors HB2564 specifies for the judge to consider are already in applicable case law. Putting the burden of proof into statute will only serve to limit judges from considering other factors indicating maturity, which might be more appropriate in each particular case.

Notarized Parental Consent

Requiring notarized parental consent for abortion necessitates the health care provider to secure the written and notarized consent of the minor’s parent or guardian before performing an abortion.  Given that the majority of minors seeking abortion services have the support of one or both parents; this bill creates an undue barrier for young women trying to access health care.

Abortion Providers

Advanced practice clinicians, such as nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician’s assistants, have been providing surgical abortions with impressive safety records for many years in the United States and in Arizona.

On May 14, 2008, the Arizona Board of Nursing ruled that performing first trimester abortion is within the scope of practice of a properly trained nurse practitioner. This legislation would overturn the will of the Arizona Board of Nursing and undermine its role in determining the scope of practice for Arizona nurses. 

The American Public Health Association supports the provision of first trimester abortion by appropriately trained NPs, CNMs, and PAs and The National Association of Nurse Practitioners  “believes that nurse practitioners, with appropriate preparation and medical collaboration, are qualified to perform abortions.”

HB2544

Currently Arizona has the nation’s second highest teen pregnancy rate. Arizona’s youth are at a higher risk than the nationwide average for pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Comprehensive Sexuality Education and access to contraceptive services can help young people protect their health and well being.   

In 1996, the federal government began funding states, including Arizona, to begin teaching abstinence only until marriage in schools. Arizona schools overwhelmingly promote abstinence to our youth; and have appropriated millions of dollars in state funds to support these dangerous and ineffective programs which according to several recent studies, do not work.