WASHINGTON — On Tuesday Governor Jay Inslee issued a directive requiring the State Department of Health to affirm that hospitals in Washington are legally required to provide emergency abortion services.
This directive comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on a case deciding whether Idaho’s strict abortion ban prevents doctors in emergency rooms from performing abortions when a pregnant woman faces dangerous complications.
Washington state law states that abortions are allowed up until fetal viability, which is around 24 weeks.
With a new Governor set to be elected this November, KING 5 reached out to the top two Republican and top two Democratic candidates based off fundraising contributions. Those candidates are Dave Reichert, Semi Bird, Bob Ferguson, and Mark Mullet.
We asked each candidate if they would keep Inslee’s directive in place and if they would make any changes to the state’s abortion laws.
Here is how each candidate responded to this issue:
Dave Reichert (R):
Reichert’s team referenced a recent campaign advertisement where Reichert said the following:
"As Governor I will not change Washington law on this issue because I do not believe any politician regardless of personal belief has the right to make that decision for any woman.”
Semi Bird (R):
“Washington citizens are fed up with government overreach, and that is exactly what this is. There is already a law in place requiring hospitals to provide emergency health care, which includes emergency abortion care. This is yet another attempt to distract Washington citizens from the failed policies of this administration.”
Bird did not initially answer if he would make changes to the state’s abortion laws, but then sent a statement saying in part:
"No, I will instead focus on addressing the things that are within my power to change, such as calling for a third-party audit of all state offices and programs to cut spending and lower taxes for citizens who are struggling to survive in our inflated economy.”
Bob Ferguson (D):
"I agree with this directive and if I become Governor, and as the only candidate in this race endorsed by Planned Parenthood, I will work closely with them and other advocates to protect and expand access to reproductive health care across the state. We need the Keep Our Care Act to ensure abortion access in Washington, and I hope to sign and implement this legislation as Governor."
Mark Mullet (D):
"As governor, I'd keep in place Governor Inslee's directive to affirm that all Washington hospitals are legally required to provide emergency abortion services. To further secure this important right in Washington state, I've pledged that as governor I will support codifying the right to abortion in our state’s Constitution.”
