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Steve Bullock on Abortion
Democratic Presidential Challenger; MT Governor
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Women should decide, not government
Q: When do you think life begins? A: I think that the Supreme Court settled this 45 years ago. And it's not my decision to be making what the decision that a woman needs to make, in consultation with her doctor and her family and her faith, if she so
chooses. I would say that life begins at viability. But it's not up to people like me to be making these decisions. It's what does an individual woman need to do with her body and with her health care? Those aren't decisions that I should be making.
Source: CNN SOTU 2019 interview of presidential hopefuls
, May 19, 2019
100 percent rating from NARAL
In 2017, Bullock vetoed a bill that barred doctors from performing late-term abortions.
The abortion rights group NARAL gave Bullock a 100 percent rating during his gubernatorial election.
Source: PBS News Hour 2020, "Where the candidate stands on 9 issues"
, May 15, 2019
An abortion, even late-term, is a legal, personal decision
Gov. Bullock vetoed a proposal that would bar doctors from performing late-term abortions. Bullock said lawmakers should not interfere in "deeply personal medical decisions." The legislation would have banned late-term abortions by requiring doctors to
try to save the life of a viable fetus. "A woman could be subjected to forced caesarian section or inducement of labor if continuing her pregnancy after viability threatened her life--in violation of established legal precedent," Bullock said.
Source: The Missoulian on 2020 Montana gubernatorial race
, May 9, 2017
Keep Title X funding for reproductive health services
Governor Steve Bullock released the following statement on the federal proposal which would eliminate Title X family planning funding: "The reproductive health of low-income women is too important to become a partisan football, which is why--unlike
Congress--Montana has removed these decisions from political fights. The move to zero out Title X funding is dangerous and puts the health and safety of Montana women at risk. It's this type of partisan gamesmanship that has Montanans so frustrated with
Washington DC."
As governor, Bullock has worked to expand access to reproductive health services for Montanans. He signed into law a measure that makes Title X funding a statutory appropriation, meaning it will not be subject to partisan fights
in the legislature. Title X funding provides individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive services, including contraception, mammograms, and other cancer screenings.
Source: 2015 Montana Governor's office press release governor.mt.gov
, Jun 17, 2015
Rejected that insurers have plans with and without abortion
Bullock rejected a bill by Sen. Cary Smith that would have required health insurers that offer coverage plans that include elective abortions to also provide a reciprocal plan that does not cover elective abortions. Bullock said the proposal could leave
women without coverage options necessary for unforeseen events. "SB 349 would create additional administrative burdens and costs for insurance companies, potentially doubling the number of insurance products, and ultimately leading to increased costs,"
Bullock wrote.Legislative Summary: An act requiring an issuer who offers health insurance coverage that includes elective abortion coverage to also sell health insurance coverage that does not include elective abortion coverage.
Governor's Veto Message: As a father, husband, and son, I stand firmly opposed to restrictions on a woman's ability to make deeply personal medical decisions in consultation with her medical provider, family members, and spiritual leaders.
Source: Great Falls Tribune on Montana voting records for SB 349
, Apr 30, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 14, 2019