Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senators Katie Britt and James Lankford have introduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a bill aimed at ensuring medical care for newborns who survive abortion attempts. This legislation sets out expectations for care, hospital transfer requirements, mandatory reporting, private rights of action for mothers, and criminal penalties for healthcare professionals who do not comply.

Senator Britt emphasized the importance of providing medical care to all babies born alive, including those surviving abortion attempts. She stated, “Any baby born into this world, including those who survive an abortion attempt, must receive the medical care they need." She added that the act aims to protect vulnerable infants and oppose policies that she argues enable infanticide.

The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act was passed by Congress in 2002 to legally recognize newborns showing any sign of life as persons from birth. However, it did not include enforcement measures. Senator Lankford highlighted this gap by saying, “No child should be denied medical care simply because they are ‘unwanted.’” He criticized current practices where children surviving abortions might not receive necessary care.

The new legislation is supported by various organizations such as March for Life Action and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. It also has numerous cosponsors including Majority Leader John Thune and Senators Jim Banks, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mitch McConnell among others.