ABORTION LAW GOES INTO EFFECT AUG. 25
It goes without saying that the biggest health care news of the week is Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery announcing Tennessee’s law banning most abortions is set to take effect Aug. 25.
But, a top GOP Tennessee lawmaker has also said the General Assembly may need to revisit and “fine tune” the state’s law amid concerns voiced by doctors that they are at legal risk of being charged criminally and having to defend themselves even when acting to save the life of the pregnant woman or preventing irreversible harm to her.
As it stands, a physician would be required to prove by a “preponderance” of evidence that the procedure was necessary to prevent the death or serious risk and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman. Physicians who are convicted face prison terms of three to 15 years.
We will continue to monitor changes to the law, but for now, here are some of the most recent stories on the matter plus other health care stories you might be interested in reading.
– Allison Shirk, digital and engagement editor.