New York City's Department of Health has recently rescinded a regulation that mandated abortion clinics to treat late-term aborted babies as "human remains," which were to be sent to funeral homes for burial or cremation.
The rule applied to babies aborted after 24 weeks of gestation, a stage often considered viable for survival outside the womb. In fact, babies born as early as 21 weeks have been known to survive and thrive.
However, the reversal of this rule, as reported by the New York Post, means that there is no longer a requirement for these remains to be sent to funeral homes. Instead, abortion clinics can now dispose of the remains on their premises along with other waste, thereby avoiding additional costs for those undergoing late-term abortions. The rule change stated, "The Department is proposing to amend the Health Code Articles 203 and 205 to eliminate the requirement that any conceptus that has completed 24 or more weeks of gestation be disposed of as human remains."
The rule further clarified that the option of treating the remains as human, with burial or cremation, would still be available upon request. This gives abortion clinics the choice to incinerate the remains of aborted late-term babies on-site. This change has sparked outrage among pro-life advocates, who argue that it further devalues life.
Retired nurse Jeanne Head, who has served on the National Right to Life Committee for the United Nations, expressed her dismay, stating, "This is horrible. Theyre treating human beings like trash. Its infanticide. They dont want mothers to know they killed their baby."
Health officials, on the other hand, have defended the rule change, arguing that those who opt for late-term abortions should not bear the burden of funeral expenses. They contend that the experience is already challenging for women who decide to go through with late-term abortions. NYC Health Department's Chief Epidemiologist Gretchen Van Wye, during a recent meeting discussing the rule change, said, "This is inequitable. Its costly. People need to call a funeral director and pay for a burial or cremation. Its very traumatic to people. This is a matter we dont think the government needs to be involved in. This is something for the patient and provider to talk about."
According to data reviewed by The Post Millennial, about two percent of abortions in the city occur after 21 weeks. In 2020, there were 36,060 abortions in New York City, as per New York government statistics. This implies that approximately 720 abortions that year took place after 21 weeks, many of which would fall under the purview of the revised rule.
Dr. Erinma Ukoha, a maternal fetal medicine specialist in New York, commended the city's leadership for responding to the needs of those seeking later abortion care. She said, "I applaud New York Citys leadership in responding to the real needs of people accessing later abortion care." She further added, "As a physician who provides care to people navigating these often complicated and unforeseen circumstances, I am comforted that individuals and families will be able to make the decision that is best for them."
While the rule change may offer relief to some, it raises questions about the value society places on life, particularly those at their most vulnerable stages. The debate between the rights of the mother and the unborn child continues, with this rule change adding another layer of complexity to an already contentious issue.
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