The DFL Candidates answer on women’s healthcare access in Minnesota
During the seven years that Republican governor Tim Pawlenty has led Minnesota, the state has seen numerous road blocks added to impede women’s access to abortion services. A 24-hour waiting period after meeting with a doctor was implemented, forcing low income women and rural women with no nearby access to doctors to take more time away from work or families. The Women’s Right to Know law was enacted, making women read over extensive and in some cases just wrong information before having an abortion, including a section that states incorrectly that abortion may be linked to breast cancer. And clinics that provide or even mention abortion services are being cut off from any state funding.
However, Pawlenty has chosen to not run for re-election, possibly hoping instead to position himself as the GOP nominee for President. In the wake of his announcement, 11 democratic candidates have filed to run for governor. Of those 11 candidates, ten came to speak with reporters, bloggers, and advocacy groups at an event called “Netroots Nation, Minnesota.” At a Q&A session, I submitted the following question:
Tim Pawlenty has used his 8 years as governor to roll back women’s access to reproductive health more than any governor in recent history. Despite heavy DFL majorities in in the legislature, there has been no effort made to change this via legislation. If you are elected governor, will you make it a priority to remove such roadblocks to abortion access such as the 24 hour waiting period, the state based gag rule, or the sometimes factually inaccurate information provided in the “women’s right to know” information act?
Although the question was edited slightly, it was asked of the panel. The following video shows their answers.
