Women's health must include access to reproductive freedom

Echo opinion letter published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press

Pro-life should mean all life- including the life of the mother.

Boy, am I naïve. I helped install pro-life legislators with my vote. After Roe v. Wade was overturned, I believed they would flood the halls of government with law and policy proposals to provide support for all these new mothers and their babies. Instead, they are rapidly instilling a reign of terror and intimidation. I expected much better. I was horribly, tragically wrong.

Of course, I am still in favor of protecting unborn humans. 

But, women whose lives or health is at risk, or women whose freedom and dignity have been brutally ripped from them by rape or incest, should have access to abortion without fear of consequences, either for them or the attending medical personnel. 

HIPAA protection should be immediately extended to women who request counseling regarding unplanned pregnancies

A pro-life position should defend the dignity of all life. I will not accept any less. I will not support a so-called pro-life candidate who will not also fight to protect women. To do any less would be to betray the pro-life values that have guided me for 50 years.

Herbert K. Lea,  Chickamauga, Georgia