Hearing held on impact of Georgia abortion law

DECATUR, Ga. (WDEF)- In 2019, Georgia passed House Bill 481, otherwise known as the “Heartbeat Law”.

It increased the restrictions on abortions in Georgia, and was allowed to go into effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 20-22.

Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff held a hearing on Tuesday concerning Georgia’s abortion law.

 Three OBGYN doctors testified to the experiences they have had advising patients through pregnancies.

One described the experience of a woman who experienced a miscarriage after traveling to Massachusetts because she discovered her fetus would likely not survive due to a severe medical issue.

Dr. Aisvarya Panakam testified, “When she arrived to our clinic, her fetus had already passed and had been dead for several days. She was admitted to the ICU for a life-threatening clotting disorder called disseminated intravascular coagulation, as well as massive immune dysregulation in the form of sepsis. Georgia’s abortion ban jeopardized her life by delaying her access to care. She survived. Others have not.”

According to Georgia’s data software, the Online Analytical Statistical Information System, or OASIS,  the state saw over 35-thousand induced terminated pregnancies in 20-22, the last year that data is currently available for.

That is the same year this current law went into effect after being signed in 20-19, which Governor Brian Kemp said it would be the morally correct decision to enforce.

He said in 2019, “Georgia is a state that values life. We protect the innocent, we champion the vulnerable, we stand up and speak for those unable to speak for themselves… Our job is to do what is right not what is easy. We are called to be strong and courageous and we will not back down, we will always continue to fight for life.”

That is a sentiment questioned by these doctors.

Dr. Nisha Verma testified, “I’ve seen young pregnant moms with worsening medical conditions and couples whose deeply desired pregnancies are in the process of miscarrying, be turned away or forced to leave their communities to access needed health care.”

We have reached out to Governor Kemp’s office and the Georgia Life Alliance for a response to this testimony.