ICYMI: Katie Hobbs’ Fight Against Abortion Bans Is A Personal One

PHOENIX – In a recent Daily Beast op-ed, Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs shared her personal story about the medical intervention she needed when she experienced a miscarriage, and reiterated her resolve to restore and strengthen women’s fundamental rights as governor.

Hobbs’ procedure was medically necessary, but that same operation is now at risk under Arizona’s 1901 abortion ban, with Roe v. Wade overturned. Hobbs wrote:

“From personal experience, I can say that losing a pregnancy is already hard enough. I can’t imagine what that situation would have been like had I been told that the best medical decision for my health is also one that would be considered criminal and would land my doctor in prison.”

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Most people aren’t aware that Arizona has a 1901 law on the books that criminalizes nearly all abortion, requires prison time for doctors, and makes no exceptions for the health of the woman. That law wasn’t enforced when I was growing our family thanks to Roe v. Wade’s federal protection, but that has changed now that Roe is overturned.”

Earlier this month, Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued an opinion stating that the 1901 law is now the law of the land in Arizona. This draconian law effectively outlaws all abortion and requires a minimum of two years and up to five years of jail time for abortion providers. There are no exceptions for rape or incest.”

Hobbs’ op-ed in The Daily Beast comes after the gubernatorial candidate released her plan to ward off any attacks against reproductive freedom in Arizona in anticipation of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. Hobbs has always been an outspoken advocate for a women’s right to a safe and legal abortion and fiercely opposed efforts to enforce Arizona’s 1901 abortion ban.

Read the full op-ed here.