Colorado Considers Sending Doctors To Prison For Prescribing Emergency Contraception
Once again, getting between women, their bodies, and their doctors, Colorado Republicans want to make providing women with emergency contraception a felony.
HB 14-1133 defines a fetus as an “unborn human being” upon the moment of fertilization, and forbids doctors from prescribing any medication or performing any procedure that could result in the “termination of the life of an unborn human being.” Since most medical professionals actually define conception as beginning at implantation, the measure could end up banning emergency contraception along with abortion. Under HB 14-1133, doctors could face up to 12 years in prison and a $750,000 fine for violating the policy.
Thanks to the Democrats in the legislature, the measure isn’t expected to advance very far. Most political analysts see it as some type of “purity test” for the Republicans in the state, a purely symbolic gesture that allows them to prove their pro-life credentials.
