States Enter Fierce Abortion Debate

May 16, 2007 — -- At abortion clinics most women arrive with their mothers or friends. Some come alone. All are somber, and a few are in tears as they sit quietly in the waiting rooms. None is thinking about the Supreme Court or Roe vs. Wade.

In clinics from Nebraska to Alabama, these women seem oblivious to the growing battle over abortion rights, even after last month's landmark Supreme Court decision upholding the federal ban on "partial birth" abortion.

"They don't even know what Roe v. Wade is," said Diane Derzis, who owns an abortion clinic in Birmingham, Ala. "They don't care what Roe v. Wade is. Most of these women have grown up in a time when abortion has always been available."

But in legislatures across the country, the court's recent decision has reignited the fierce debate over abortion and galvanized activists on both sides. More than a dozen states have introduced legislation to further restrict abortion, while two states push to protect abortion rights.

Conservative lawmakers like Alabama's Henry Erwin say the recent decision shows the court is ready to allow tougher restrictions.

"That decision, I think, was a pivotal decision that energized not only me, but probably energized pro-lifers all over the country," Erwin said.

Since the decision, several states are poised to pass laws requiring clinics to offer women ultrasounds of their fetuses before performing abortions. Other states are debating whether clinics must tell women the fetus could feel pain.

Missouri lawmakers have imposed tough new regulations on clinics, and Oklahoma is considering a bill that would prevent state money and facilities from being used to perform abortions.

Clinics in states like Alabama already face a number of restrictions, including 24-hour waiting periods, parental consent requirements and state-mandated counseling that includes pamphlets with detailed pictures of developing fetuses.