Tennessee Lawmakers approve narrow abortion exceptions

Bill now goes to the Senate

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – Tennessee lawmakers are making decisions this week on tweaking the state’s “no-exception” abortion law.

The state house approved some very narrow exceptions on Monday, after a furious battle by Democrats to add more.

The state senate takes the debate up today.

In the House, lawmakers passed a version that would allow doctors to perform an abortion if the mother’s life is at risk according to their own “resonable medical judgement.”

Doctors have said the current law puts patients’ lives in danger while some Republicans feared the current law might not survive legal challenges without some changes.

Democrats tried to add more exemptions for minors who are victims of rape or incest.  But those were voted down.

A surgeon, who is also a Republican lawmaker, brought the bill that did pass saying it allows doctors to treat medical disease, like ectopic pregnancy, or molar pregnancy or the death of the fetus.

But critics say they still are at the mercy of a jury which will decide if their medical opinion is valid.