A law in Idaho requiring that abortion providers report complications that may have arisen after an abortion is causing concern for Planned Parenthood. According to the Idaho Press (“Attorneys ask for temporary stop to Idaho abortion-reporting law, Sept. 19, 2018), the law requires information limited to age, race, live births and number of prior abortions of any patient who received an abortion and suffered complications.

An Associated Press article in the Spokesman-Review (“Idaho’s new abortion reporting law on hold pending federal appeals court review of ruling” – Nov. 24) reports that Planned Parenthood contends in a lawsuit filed in July that the law is “unconstitutional and intended to stigmatize women seeking medical care” and “singles out just one medical procedure.” Their concern about protecting women’s private medical information from public disclosure seems to be so much trumpery.

What’re they afraid of? That abortions have consequences? I suggest more concern about complications arising from the killing of unborn children as well as the emotional effects suffered later by many women.

Judith Maibie

Spokane