New Web Video Highlights Consequences of SD Abortion Ban

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Ban’s Language Is Complicated and Vague, Threatening the Health and Well-Being of Women and Families in South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Today, the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families released a new web video highlighting the consequences of passing the state’s newest abortion ban – Initiated Measure 11.  The video includes testimonials from three South Dakotans that demonstrate how the complicated and vague language in the abortion ban would threaten the health and well-being of women and families in South Dakota. 

View the video by clicking here or go to http://www.sdhealthyfamilies.org.

TIFFANY CAMPBELL

In 2006, Tiffany and Chris Campbell were elated to find that Tiffany was pregnant with their third child and then learned that they were expecting twins.  That joy soon faded when they realized something was terribly wrong.  Due to a condition known as twin-to-twin syndrome, both of Tiffany’s boys were very sick – one boy’s heart was pumping for both of them and it was failing from the strain.  In what was the most difficult, painful decision of their lives, Tiffany and Chris decided to terminate one life so that the other could survive.

In the video, Tiffany says, “I can’t imagine being in my position again and not being able to make that choice for myself and my family.  […] They may say it’s a vote for life, but in my case it’s not.  It would have been a vote for me not to have that choice and intervene in the pregnancy and I would have buried two babies.  […] I would not have Brady at home.  He is an absolute living example, we are a living example of a healthy family, and that’s because we were able to make that choice.”

DR. MARVIN BUEHNER, OBGYN

Dr. Buehner is an obstetrician and gynecologist from Rapid City, SD who opposes the abortion ban.  Buehner has previously stated that he would no longer perform abortions for seriously ill patients if the abortion ban passes, at the risk of spending 10 years in prison.  He said that the phrase “accepted standards of medical practice is so vague and nebulous that no physicians I know, myself included, would take that chance.” [Wall Street Journal, 8/12/08] Such a situation would have chilling effect on a doctor’s ability to properly care for his or her patients.

In the video, Dr. Buehner says, “It’s a very difficult decision for any woman to make, but especially for women with health complications in pregnancy.  […] [Under Measure 11] the decision would probably be made by attorneys, rather than the physicians or the patients themselves.”

PASTOR RODNEY GIST

Rodney Gist, a retired Methodist Minister in South Dakota, has also spoken out against the ban.  Gist regards the law as “too much government involvement.” While during his more than 55 years as a minister, he counseled many women who were considering abortion.  From Gist’s perspective, “This is no simple issue that can be decided by law.  It has to be worked through each one as an individual case.”

The South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families is a grassroots coalition made up of groups and individuals throughout the State of South Dakota who are committed to defeating the 2008 abortion ban ballot initiative. The bipartisan group is co-chaired by two former legislators and educators – Jan Nicolay, a Republican and Elaine Roberts, a Democrat. The coalition includes Pastors for Moral Choices, Medical Professionals, Democracy in Action, Planned Parenthood, NARAL, the South Dakota Advocacy Network for Women Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, the ACLU and hundreds of other volunteers and community leaders from all walks of life. For more information visit http://www.sdhealthyfamilies.org/.