Roy Cooper on Abortion

Respect doctor-patient relationship during pregnancy

Summary by CNN, 5/16: The bill--dubbed the "Care for Women, Children and Families Act"--bans any licensed physician from performing surgical abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy. It provides exceptions in the case of rape and incest through 20 weeks of pregnancy or in the event of a "life-limiting anomaly" through 24 weeks.

Veto Message, 5/13: This bill will create dangerous interference with the doctor-patient relationship, leading to harm for pregnant women and their families. With its medically unnecessary obstacles and restrictions, it will make abortion unavailable to many women, particularly those with lower incomes, and those who live in rural areas."

Legislative Outcome: Vetoed by Gov. Cooper on May/14; Senate Veto override 30-20-0 May/16; House Veto override 72-48-0 on May/16/23.

Vetoed bill banning abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy

No politicians in medical room telling doctor what to say

The appeals court ruled that the ultrasound law violates the First Amendment rights of physicians by compelling delivery of ideological information that transforms "the physician into the mouthpiece of the state." But in petitioning the Supreme Court to take up the case, Cooper said the ultrasound law was consistent with the First Amendment as a regulation of medical practice.

Just a few months earlier, though, Cooper spoke to a gathering of abortion rights supporters, criticizing state leaders "who want the voice of politicians in the medical examining room telling the doctor what to say."