ATLANTA, Ga. Atlanta News First – U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff continued his probe into Georgia’s abortion ban on Monday. He led an official human rights subcommittee convened in downtown Atlanta.
Georgia’s six-week, heartbeat abortion ban is considered one of the most restrictive in the nation.
It is critically important that the public hear directly from health care providers and from women who have been denied basic health care in the state of Georgia as a result of our state’s abortion ban, said Ossoff.
There are a few exceptions, but doctors could be charged with a felony and face up to a decade in prison if it is deemed they performed a procedure that does not qualify.
OBGYN Carrie Cwiak testified her patients experienced complications like sepsis and hemorrhage because their doctors were not able to perform medically necessary abortions under Georgia’s ban.
Medical care is put on hold as we search for legal clarity. As a result, patients may be denied timely, effective care, said Cwiak.
Yasmein Ziyad testified when she was miscarrying, her doctor told her she needed to get an abortion but he couldn’t operate under Georgia law.
I couldn’t get the care I needed, that would have spared me so much pain and suffering. As a result of what I went through, we have given up on hopes of ever being pregnant again, said Ziyad.
Zemmie Fleck with the pro-life organization Georgia Right to Life said she watched the hearing. She remains steadfast in her belief that the ban protects life’s sanctity. She wants the state to further protect children with a personhood amendment.
Pregnancy is a very fine line between life and death many times for the mother or the child. Medically, what can the doctor provide that preborn child as their patient? What can the doctor do? Provide to either continue the life for the child or if the child dies naturally, said Fleck.
In his closing statement, Ossoff thanked the women for their testimony.
I am grateful to each of you for sharing your experiences with us today and your expertise. As we heard from Dr. Cwiak, these brave women who testified here today are not alone.
This abortion ban is causing needless health complications for women across the state, and as we have heard today, forcing women with high-risk or nonviable pregnancies either to continue those pregnancies or to leave the state for health care, he said.
