POINT | The devil is in the details

Guest column by Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt, South Dakota Assistant House Majority Leader

This November, we're facing a critical decision with a ballot measure aiming to legalize abortion. While the issue of pro-life versus pro-choice may seem straightforward, the proposed measure is anything but. As members of the House State Affairs Committee, we meticulously examined this measure, asking questions and delving into its complexities. What emerged was a stark reality concerning women's health.

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The proponents of this measure would have you believe it's a champion for women's rights and healthcare. Don't be misled. I found components that concern me — and should concern everyone protective of women’s health. It's crucial to scrutinize the fine print because the devil is in the details. 

1. The measure would remove all basic facility health and safety regulations for women seeking abortions in the first trimester. Abortions would not have to take place in a healthcare facility. The state could not even institute basic hygiene or infection control regulations. How does that help women receive safe healthcare? It does not.

   

   

2. The measure would remove all requirements that only a healthcare provider perform an abortion. Abortions could be ordered or administered by anyone — from your neighbor, to the mailman, to your hairstylist. How does that help women receive safe healthcare? It does not. 

3. The measure would allow minors to receive abortions without consent. Picture a minor victim being raped and her perpetrator coercing her to get an abortion. Does that help women and girls receive safe healthcare? It does not. 

Beyond these troubling aspects, the measure would sanction abortions up to the moment of birth and even for viable babies outside the womb. It would trample on the moral objections of healthcare providers who hold reservations about abortion. This measure poses a grave threat to the value of human life and the well-being of women.

As a healthcare provider, a mother and a staunch advocate for women, I vehemently oppose this measure. Its implications are clear: it undermines women's health and endorses the termination of viable, full-term babies. We have alternative paths that prioritize the health of women and protect their children. Let's not allow this measure to dictate our future.

Regardless of your position on the prolife-prochoice continuum, I ask you to examine this issue closely. Instead of supporting this measure, let's champion policies that genuinely prioritize the well-being of women and babies. The devil hides in the details, and it's important to know those details. In this case, the details are not good for women and not good for safe healthcare.

Taylor Rehfeldt is a member of the South Dakota Legislature representing District 14 in the South Dakota House of Representatives, and serves as assistant House Majority Leader.