Abortion vs. Miscarriage Care: Unraveling the Myths of Prop 139

By Katarina White |

The Arizona Abortion Access Campaign has sparked controversy by alleging that the defeat of Proposition 139 could jeopardize essential miscarriage care for women in the state. However, this claim is misleading, as current Arizona law, specifically ARS 36-2151, clearly differentiates between abortion procedures and care for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies.

According to ARS 36-2151, miscarriage management is categorically not classified as abortion. This statute explicitly states that procedures intended to “terminate an ectopic pregnancy or to remove a dead fetus” do not fall under the abortion definition. Dr. Anthony Levatino, an OB-GYN and attorney, emphasizes this distinction, stating, “Miscarriage care is protected as it is explicitly excluded from the definition of abortion.”

In response to these misleading assertions, Arizona Right to Life and the It Goes Too Far Campaign convened a press conference, aiming to clarify the truths surrounding Proposition 139. Various medical professionals voiced their concerns regarding the confusion propagated by the Arizona Abortion Access Campaign, reiterating that the state’s laws already protect women’s access to necessary care for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, irrespective of the outcome of Proposition 139.

Despite efforts by some abortion advocates to distort these differences, Arizona’s current laws firmly guarantee appropriate medical treatments for women experiencing miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies. The request for Proposition 139 appears less focused on women’s health, and more on extending abortion access throughout all nine months of pregnancy, relying on fear and misinformation to garner support.

As Arizonans prepare to vote on Proposition 139, it is vital to sift through the Arizona Abortion Access Campaign’s extensive efforts to mislead voters. With substantial funding directed toward obscuring the truth, it is evident that their intention is not to safeguard women’s health but to facilitate broader abortion access. Existing Arizona law already protects critical medical care related to miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, making the push for Prop 139 a potential gateway to unrestricted abortion access, fueled by fear. Arizona voters deserve transparency and clarity, not a profit-driven agenda.

Katarina White serves as a Board Member for Arizona Right to Life. To learn more, visit the Arizona Right to Life website.