Philip Gunn on Abortion

Defends "heartbeat bill": abortion ban after 15 weeks

The law is being challenged in federal court by the Center for Reproductive Rights. Mississippi has been in a similar position before. Last year, Bryant signed a 15-week abortion ban into law. After an emergency hearing, the law was ruled unconstitutional and blocked from taking effect.

Attorney General Jim Hood recently filed papers on behalf of the state, appealing the ruling. So, now, both the 15-week ban and the heartbeat bill are in court.

Of the legislation, Gov. Bryant previously said, "We think this is showing the profound respect and desire of Mississippians to protect the sanctity of that unborn life whenever possible."

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 81-36-2, Feb. 13; passed Senate 34-14-4, Feb. 13. Philip Gunn voted YES.

No abortion after 15 weeks of gestation, with no exceptions

Require doctor's prescription to get an abortion

• Prohibits any individual other than a physician from providing any abortion-inducing drug.
• Requires the prescription for the abortion-inducing drug to by written in compliance with the protocol authorized by the FDA.
• Requires a physician to determine gestational age of the fetus prior to providing an abortion-inducing drug
• Requires the physician who administers the abortion-inducing drug to contract with another physician who has admitting privileges at a hospital
• Requires a physician to schedule a follow-up visit at least 14 days after the administration of an abortion-inducing drug
• Classifies a violation of this bill by a physician as a misdemeanor and authorizes the physician's license to be denied or revoked.

Prohibit ObamaCare insurance exchange coverage for abortion

Summary by Center for Reproductive Rights [a pro-choice group]: Mississippi responded to [ObamaCare] by passing a bill (SB 3214) that bars any insurer from offering insurance coverage for abortion in the state exchange, except when the woman's life is endangered by "a physical disorder, physical illness or physical injury" or in cases of rape or incest. The legislature was so eager to pass this bill that it circumvented its own bill introduction deadlines and procedural rules to do so.

Legislative outcome: Passed House 75-32-15, Apr/24/10; Passed Senate 47-0-5, Apr/23/10; Philip Gunn voted YES; Signed by Governor Haley Barbour May/25/10