Senate approves bill on ‘wrongful births’

The Arizona Senate has approved a bill that would shield doctors and others from so-called “wrongful birth” lawsuits.
Those are lawsuits that can arise if physicians don’t inform pregnant women of prenatal problems that could lead to the decision to have an abortion.
The Senate’s 20-9 vote Tuesday sends the bill to the state House. The bill’s sponsor is Republican Nancy Barto of Phoenix. She says allowing the medical malpractice lawsuits endorses the idea that if a child is born with a disability, someone is to blame.
Barto said the bill will still allow “true malpractice suits” to proceed. If the bill becomes law, Arizona would join nine states barring both “wrongful life” and “wrongful birth” lawsuits. Opponents of the bill say it’s unnecessary and would infringe on reproductive rights.

The Associated Press del 6 marzo (il corsivo è mio).