The Truth about the "Abortion Expansion Act" (hint: it doesn't exist)

Often, I take a stroll across the west lawn of the NYS Capitol when the weather is agreeable. It's one of my favorite places in the world, and is normally quite peaceful.  Occasionally I will stumble across a demonstration of democracy, and regardless of whether I agree with its politics, it's still good to see America in action.

Yesterday, however, I came across a demonstration that had me at first confused, and then angry.  

Allow me to clarify.  The rally was in protest of Governor Cuomo's "Abortion Expansion Act."  Some people allege that if this legislation passes, late-term abortion will become legal in New York State.  Folks were holding up well-designed signs that lend them credibility, some held candles and prayed. They walked slowly in a circle around the rose fountain, somberly displaying their solidarity against such grisly proposed legislation.  

The trouble is, the "Abortion Expansion Act" doesn't actually exist. There is no such proposal, no such "act" or agenda. Nothing.  So why are people protesting something that doesn't exist?

I call it the "telephone" syndrome.  Telephone is a game I played as a girl, where a group of people would sit in a circle and whisper a message to each other.  The further around the circle the message would get from its source, the more misconstrued it would become.  Sadly, the same phenomenon can occur in the media, politics, and human beings in general.  I see it all the time.

The Women's Equality Agenda, which actually IS real, has been a big deal in the media recently.  It's something many New Yorkers are fighting for.  One of the items on the agenda is to align New York abortion law with existing federal law and state practice.  You see, New York legalized abortion in 1970-- three years before Roe v Wade came about.  Because of this, New York's abortion law is antiquated and in need of updating.  Currently, abortion law is regulated in the penal code-- not the health code, and this needs to be fixed.  Federal law also ensures that a woman's health is protected in the rare and tragic situation when a serious complication jeopardizes the health of the mother later in the pregnancy.

Long story short; there will be neither an expansion nor a reduction of abortion law in New York State.  All the governor wants to do is update it so it is consistent with federal law.  

It's a shame that such misinformation is sullying the true message of the Women's Equality Agenda.  I cannot speculate as to whether the true purpose of this is to deliberately mislead the public, or if it was just a misunderstanding that has gotten out of hand.  In any case, I urge everyone to remain aware of what our lawmakers are up to.  Read up on proposed legislation using reliable sources. We owe it to ourselves and the women of New York to be able to examine all proposed legislation armed with the truth.