Though philosophically uncomfortable with the issue of abortion, Terry came to me to ask about risks of this pregnancy compared with the risks of termination. After extensive discussion and many tears, she decided that her responsibility to her family was paramount. She chose to terminate the pregnancy. Twice the people of South Dakota soundly defeated attempts by the South Dakota legislature to severely restrict access to abortion services. Still that legislature has created 52 statutes under the heading of Performance of Abortion attempting to do just that.

One requires physicians to complete 13 pages of forms with every patient in addition to the process that physicians are ethically and legally bound to perform for every procedure.

Before Terry could have an abortion to protect her health and life, she and I completed more than 25 pages of state-mandated forms that required me to give her information that is patently false. Failure to complete them precisely can result in investigation, fines and civil or criminal liability.