An Arizona state lawmaker announced that she is pregnant with a nonviable fetus and intends to have an abortion. She took the opportunity to share her personal journey of seeking care in the state by addressing the state Senate.
“On the Senate floor Monday, state Sen. Eva Burch, a Democrat, expressed her belief that abortion is currently the safest and most suitable treatment option for her. However, she highlighted the interference she faces in accessing this treatment due to the laws passed by the legislature.”
Burch, who is already a mother of two boys, recently discovered that she was pregnant “against all odds.” She opened up about her struggles with fertility, revealing that she had experienced her first miscarriage 13 years ago and has been through multiple pregnancies since then.
After undergoing multiple ultrasounds and blood draws, it was confirmed that her pregnancy was not viable. As a result, she made the decision to terminate the pregnancy.
Burch shared her experience of accessing care in the state, mentioning that she underwent an unnecessary “invasive transvaginal ultrasound.”
“I feel secure, cherished, and shielded within my marriage. However, I cannot fathom how inappropriate this would be for a survivor of sexual assault or someone enduring an abusive or coercive relationship with their partner. It would be like experiencing another unwanted vaginal penetration, but this time by the state, by the very individuals entrusted to safeguard us,” expressed Burch.
Access to abortion care is limited in Arizona due to a combination of restrictions. While the state prohibits abortions after 15 weeks, there are additional barriers that make it difficult for patients to access the care they need.
Accessing abortion care in the state involves a two-step process. Patients are first required to schedule an in-person counseling session. Following this, they must wait for a minimum of 24 hours before they can proceed with their second appointment for the actual abortion procedure.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, patients are mandated to undergo ultrasounds, even if they are not medically necessary. Additionally, state Medicaid coverage is generally not allowed, with only a few exceptions.
According to Burch, the counseling she received was filled with “misinformation” that did not pertain to her specific circumstances, as a result of state regulations.
‘Not critical enough’
However, her story doesn’t stop there. Burch also confided in her coworkers that this won’t be her initial abortion.
During her campaign for the state Senate seat, Burch shared that she experienced a pregnancy with a nonviable fetus. This occurred two years ago.
On the state Senate floor, Burch expressed her deep sorrow and disappointment over the pregnancy that she and her partner had been actively trying for.
The night prior to her planned abortion, she started experiencing a miscarriage. However, despite the state law allowing exceptions in cases where the mother’s life is in danger, she was denied a procedure at the hospital. The reason given was that her situation was not considered critical enough, according to Burch.
According to her, having a waiting period can be completely unsuitable and even risky.
Burch stated that she visited the abortion clinic the following day and received the necessary care. Burch further mentioned that after two weeks, the abortion clinics closed down following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Burch, in her recent statement, expressed her need for another abortion. She emphasized that her intention behind sharing her personal experience is to shed light on the profound impact legislative choices have on the lives of individuals like herself.
Burch expressed his disapproval of laws that limit access to abortion and urged the legislature to enact laws that empower all Arizona residents to make the choice that best suits their needs.
According to Burch, the people of Arizona have been let down by the legislature due to its restrictive and controlling abortion laws, as well as its continuous slashing and denial of resources.
“I sincerely hope that the people of Arizona will have the chance to express their opinions on the issue of abortion through voting in November,” expressed Burch.