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A too-often ignored aspect of abortion law is what exceptions it allows when late-pregnancy problems arise? What if there are complications that affect the health of the mother or if serious fetus abnormalities are discovered? Under current Virginia law, these difficult, often tragic, decisions are largely in the hands of the parents and their doctors. Youngkin’s public statements suggest he has little sympathy for parents forced to make difficult medical choices. Although he has talked about exceptions for the health of the mother, the 15 week bill introduced in the Virginia Senate last January, in fact allow exceptions (other than cases of rape and incest) only if continuation of the pregnancy will result in “the death of the woman or substantially and irreversibly impair one or more of such woman's major bodily functions”. So what happens if you can’t be certain that the pregnancy will cause permanent damage? And what if the fetus is discovered post 15-weeks to either not be viable outside the womb or would be born with fatal abnormalities? Too bad. The mother would have no choice but to carry the fetus to term. Sound harsh? In fact, this is the “moderate” bill. The party’s right wing will certainly demand even more limited exceptions.
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