Note: HB23-1150 was postponed indefinitely in House Health and Insurance committee on February 17, 2023. The following is the CCC’s testimony in support of the bill.
If enacted, HB 1150 would require medical providers to give information on the Abortion Pill Reversal to any woman who seeks an abortion via an abortion-inducing drug. Abortion Pill Reversal offers women a safe and effective choice to reverse the effects of a chemical abortion.
If passed, this legislation could save preborn babies’ lives and offer women true choice, which is consistent with pro-abortion arguments. The CCC anticipates a bill in the coming weeks, possibly from members on the House Health and Insurance committee, to ban the medical use of Abortion Pill Reversal. Such a ban would be denying choice for women who change their mind after taking abortion drugs.
Given the scientific fact that a human life begins at conception, the only moral norm needed to understand the Church’s opposition to abortion is the principle that every human life has inherent dignity, and thus must be treated with the respect due to a human person.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Bishops of Colorado have identified abortion as the preeminent issue of our time because it attacks innocent human life when it is most vulnerable.
The data on Abortion Pill Reversal treatment is that it is safe and effective. It is simply a treatment where a medical provider prescribes progesterone, which is a naturally occurring hormone that is blocked with the first abortion pill. Such progesterone treatment is already safely given to women experiencing miscarriage or bleeding in pregnancy to stop bleeding and save their child.
After more than 25 years of progesterone support in pregnancy, data shows that all available evidence strongly supports its safety when used in pregnancy.
This bill simply requires women are given information about Abortion Pill Reversal when seeking an abortion- inducing drug. Many do indeed regret their original choice and need to act fast to save their child.
This should not be a partisan issue. HB 1150 does not repeal RHEA. It is scientifically supported, and does not cause undue medical burden. It allows women to make a choice, which is consistent with the ethics of those who support abortion.
On behalf of the Colorado bishops, the Colorado Catholic Conference respectfully asks the committee to vote “YES” on HB 1150.