Right now, HB 954 is sitting on Governor Deal’s desk. During the final hours of the Georgia legislative session, a “revised” version of the bill was introduced and passed. But the truth is, very little was changed about the bill. We need him to hear the truth before he signs it.

  The truth is: The bill still requires that the rare abortion care allowed after 20 weeks must be done in a manner most likely to save the pregnancy, even if that causes risk to the mother’s health.

  The truth is: There are still criminal penalties for doctors deemed to be in violation, anywhere from 1 to 10 years in prison.

  The truth is: This legislation is harmful to the women and families of Georgia, because it forces physicians to make complex medical decisions within the confines of one-size-fits all legislation.

  People all over the country who know the truth about cruel legislation like this have stood up with the families of Georgia. Danielle Deaver is one of them. Danielle lives in Nebraska where a similar law was passed in 2010. The law caused her unbelievable anguish and suffering, and she personally wrote Governor Deal asking him to stop the bill so that nobody else would experience the same.

 Here’s just a piece of Danielle’s story:

 “In August 2010, I was overjoyed to become pregnant.  My husband and I still wanted nothing more than to give my son a brother or sister.  For weeks, my pregnancy was proceeding normally.  But then 22 weeks into my pregnancy, it went terribly wrong. 

 On Saturday, November 27, my water broke and there was not enough amniotic fluid for my daughter to survive.  This was heartbreaking.  If there was anything we could have done to save her, we would have.

 What happened next should have remained a very private decision between me and my family and my doctors.  As the result of a law similar to a bill considered by this state's Legislature, a decision that should have remained mine and my husband's at a very difficult time was decided for us – and it was decided by politicians we'd never met. 

 My husband and I agonized over the decision about what was best for our family.  After much careful thought, prayer, research and medical advice, my husband and I made the difficult decision that we wanted to induce labor and deliver my daughter as soon as possible. 

 We wanted to honor our daughter.  We wanted to hold her and say goodbye.  We wanted to preserve my health.  

 We should have been able to handle this with dignity with our doctor.  The very best medical care should have been available to me.  But as I said, Nebraska law interfered.

 Even though I wasn't looking for an abortion, my doctor and his legal counsel felt their hands were tied.  "If I could help you, I would," he said, looking me in my tear filled eyes.  "But I would go to jail."

 The law, as you know, is black and white.  Unfortunately, life just isn't.  Though an infection was growing inside me, under the law I wasn't sick enough to warrant the induction my husband and I wanted.”

 Let's all make sure Governor Deal hears the truth. Tell him to veto this cruel bill. 

 Not in Georgia but still want to tell Governor Deal the truth? Sign on to this petition with others across the country concerned with this dangerous legislation..