State Bill Would Expand Who Can Perform Abortions
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) -- A bill heading to Gov. Jerry Brown would allow nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physician assistants to perform a type of early abortion.
The measure by Democratic Assemblywoman Toni Atkins of San Diego would let those medical professionals perform what are known as aspiration abortions during the first trimester. The method involves inserting a tube and using suction to terminate a pregnancy.
Nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physicians assistants already are allowed to administer medicine to induce an abortion.
The Assembly approved AB154 Friday on a mostly party-line vote of 49-25.
Atkins says her bill would help expand access to abortion services in areas of the state with few physicians.
Republicans opposing the legislation said allowing non-doctors to perform abortions would increase risks to patients.
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