In the United States, the State of Mississippi has just approved a reduction in the legal abortion limit from 20 weeks (22nd week of pregnancy) to 15 weeks (17th week of pregnancy). Once passed, Mississippi will have the most restrictive abortion legislation in the United States. “The people of Mississippi are committed to protecting the lives of unborn children, and this law will be a major step towards this goal”, explained Republican Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves in a press release. The draft bill includes one exception, “in the case of serious foetal anomaly or a medical emergency”.
The Jackson Health Women’s Organization clinic is the last establishment to continue performing abortions in Mississippi. Abortions are currently carried out up to the 16th week.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, seventeen States have banned abortion after 20 weeks. 926,200 abortions were performed in the United States in 2014, i.e. 12% fewer than in 2011.
Reuters (06/03/2018)