Dear Editor,
Montanans, vote “NO” on CI-128
All of us have at least one thing in common: we all began life as infants in a womb.
Despite our common beginnings, a disregard for vulnerable human lives at this early developmental stage is wreaking havoc here in Montana, where I grew up and have practiced as an Ob/Gyn for more than 20 years.
CI-128, an amendment on the ballot, would allow unlimited induced abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. As a physician whose entire mission involves saving lives, it’s difficult to justify delivering a newborn at 24 weeks in one room only to terminate another child of the same gestational age or older under the guise of “healthcare” in the room next door. But that’s exactly what CI-128 would permit.
CI-128’s full text is riddled with vague language and deceptive terminology that would harm, not help, women and their babies. For example, it uses the terms “healthcare professional” or “provider” to refer to those recommending and/or performing induced abortions, regardless of experience or specialty, including non-physicians. In fact, the language would eliminate all existing laws governing safe medical practice. This should be frightening, not freeing, to women in need of genuine medical attention.
Montana laws already permit induced abortion up until 20 weeks’ gestation, five weeks beyond the point at which nearly 75 percent of people do not support elective abortion. National pro-abortion interest groups have funneled millions of dollars into our state for the express purpose of turning out votes in favor of CI-128, that would establish a permissive “right” to induced abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy.
Young women in their teenage years would be put at great personal risk should Montanans adopt CI-128. The amendment would eliminate Montana’s parental notification and the consent laws that protect minors from those who wish them harm, including abusive partners who often pressure them to abort against their wills.
Most people don’t realize that Ob/Gyn physicians have the professional training and the legal authority necessary to deliver holistic care to mothers and their children before and after birth without relying on abortion. You may have heard concerns that we need CI-128 to treat life-threatening conditions related to pregnancy, such as miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. This is an invalid concern. We already take care of these women without hesitation, and always have.
Don’t let the drama of CI-128’s backers mislead Montanans into thinking that abortion is a ticket to a woman’s freedom, health, and peace of mind. Montana voters should demand better for women and children in our state. We must focus our efforts on supporting expecting mothers and welcoming unborn children into loving families in our communities so they can go on to experience fulfilling lives from kindergarten to old age.
Vote NO on CI-128.
Shaun J. Gillis, MD
Bozeman, MT
Shaun J. Gillis, MD is a board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist practicing in Montana
