I normally don't take a stand on much, because I am not very politically involved, but I think I will make an exception for this one....
A message list I am on sent a link to the Daily Kos Political Rant Blog article entitled VA Legislative Sentry: Have a Miscarriage, Go to JAIL? and I became exceptionally angry. As a woman who has had multiple miscarriages and someone who has watched her mother have so many miscarriages we lost count, I am both angry and sad. My mother got to the point that she told no one except my father and myself (not even my little brother because he became so upset and confused at one minute being a big brother and the next not), and the thought of her having to report these nightmares to the authorities angers me greatly. To this day I can remember the tone of dispair tinging her voice as she would call my father into the bathroom. I always knew that meant she had lost yet another baby to a body that constantly would try to reject the fetus. But...she should have remembered to report this nightmare to the authorities, right?
The Bill Itself
HB1677, "Report of Fetal Death by mother, penalty" is a bill introduced by John A. Cosgrove (R) of Chesapeake.
The full text of HB1677 reads as follows: When a fetal death occurs without medical attendance, it shall be the woman's responsibility to report the death to the law-enforcement agency in the jurisdiction of which the delivery occurs within 12 hours after the delivery. A violation of this section shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
What you can do...
If you find this bill as offensive as I do, what can you do now? A few ideas...
- If you live in Virginia, write a letter asking Delegate Cosgrove how his bill will benefit the people of the Commonwealth.
- If you live in Virginia, write to your Delegate and State Senator to express your views on this bill and demand that they oppose it.
- Post about this outrage on every message board, mailing list and website you can. Read other's opinions about this invasion of our privacy at these other blogs, Democracy for Virginia and Chez Miscarriage. Contact the media to bring public attention to this bill. If people are aware, there is less chance of it being passed unopposed with no public knowledge.
This is a bill that could have negative ramafications outside the state of Virginia. If this bill passes, other states might take notice and think that it is a "good idea" for them too. Share your anger and outrage so that your state doesn't get on board too.
As a staunchly pro-life woman, I am upset. I can only imagine how a pro-choice woman would feel, as they already have the belief that the state has no control over what happens with their own body. For once, an issue that both the pro-life and pro-choice can join together over...
Happy protesting,
Jennifer
