1. United States
2. Kan.
3. Letter

I am writing to you today as a former Republican who is deeply concerned about House Bill 2171. As you know, the people of Kansas have already made their voices heard on the issue of abortion. Regardless of personal beliefs, the fundamental right to make medical decisions about ones own body should not be dictated by the government. For much of my life, I also believed abortion was wrong. I was raised in a strong Christian home and couldn't picture ever being in a position where any child I conceived would be anything but a joy. I now recognize that I had a very privileged upbringing and parental examples. I also have now suffered a miscarriage and then thankfully, was able to give birth to my two daughters. Pregnancy is the hardest thing I have ever experienced and I was blessed to know through pregnancy screenings, my children would likely be healthy and survive. Those experiences made me realize how unfair it is to judge others for making a different choice. It is not for you or me to decide what is best for someone else's body or circumstances. This is a principle we are taught from an early age: my body is mine, and your body is yours. Furthermore, you are not a physician, and I question when it became acceptable for lawmakers without medical expertise to make deeply personal medical decisions for others. In my own profession, we call that acting out of scope—and it should be no different in politics. Beyond the medical and ethical concerns, this bill also contradicts fundamental Christian and American values. Christianity teaches that God gave us free will, yet this bill suggests that its supporters feel entitled to make decisions that even God entrusted to the individual. Moreover, it goes against the very foundation of our country, which was built on the principles of personal liberty and autonomy. While I understand that this letter may not change your mind, I urge you to reconsider supporting this bill. As an elected representative, your duty is to uphold the will of the people of Kansas. We have spoken clearly: abortion is a right, and it should remain a personal decision between a woman and her doctor. Please respect the voices of Kansans and stand against this bill.