Oppose SB 171

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Senate Bill 171, which proposes a series of extreme restrictions on reproductive healthcare in Indiana. This bill represents an unprecedented and harmful intrusion into private healthcare decisions, and I urge you to vote against it. The provisions of SB 171 are deeply concerning for several reasons: • Ban on abortion-inducing drugs: The outright ban, with no exceptions for rape, incest, or even preserving the life of the mother, disregards the health and safety of Hoosier women. This measure imposes cruel and unnecessary risks on individuals in vulnerable situations. • Criminalizing possession and prescription: Turning healthcare providers and patients into criminals for accessing or prescribing FDA-approved medications undermines trust in the healthcare system and threatens the doctor-patient relationship. • Affidavit requirements for exceptions: Forcing women to provide a signed affidavit to seek care under narrow exceptions places an undue burden on survivors of rape or incest. The threat of prosecution for perjury adds insult to injury and discourages individuals from seeking care or reporting crimes. Rape is already underreported because women feel ashamed or that they will not be believed, or that the men who raped them will not be prosecuted. • Restricting nonprofit support: Preventing Indiana nonprofits from assisting with costs of abortion-inducing drugs eliminates critical support systems for individuals in need, especially for low-income women. • Empowering the Attorney General: Allowing the Attorney General to override local prosecutors erodes the principle of local governance and could lead to politically motivated enforcement. • Insurance coverage restrictions: Prohibiting insurance plans from covering abortion-inducing drugs, even out of state, places financial burdens on women and violates their right to access healthcare in accordance with their needs and beliefs. This legislation disregards the complexities of real-life medical situations and the rights of individuals to make personal decisions about their own bodies. It also places undue stress on women, families, and healthcare providers, while creating a climate of fear and surveillance. Women will die needlessly because of this bill. What is medically called “abortion” is the treatment for a miscarriage that hasn’t been naturally expelled by the human body. It is the treatment for an ectopic pregnancy. This is not about ending babies’ lives. It is about saving women’s lives. As your constituent, I urge you to prioritize protecting the health, privacy, and autonomy of Indiana residents. SB 171 is not only extreme but also harmful, and I strongly urge you to oppose it. Thank you for considering my concerns. I hope you will stand up for the rights and well-being of your constituents.