Utah lawmakers issue stern warning to doctors about abortion

Update: 9:53 p.m.

Rep. Lisonbee issued her first comments Thursday since issuing a warning to healthcare providers earlier in the day.

FIRST COMMENTS: from @UtahKarianne since issuing cease and desists to @plannedparentUT, etc. I asked: your letter says abortion is illegal in Utah when the law that’s in effect allows them until 18 weeks?

Her response: @kslnewsradio #utpol pic.twitter.com/610se7eTF2

— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) September 16, 2022

 

Our previous reporting

SALT LAKE CITY — A group of Utah State lawmakers issued a warning to abortion providers on Thursday. 

Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield and Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan, issued a stern warning in the form of a letter Thursday to doctors that abortions remain a felony in Utah.

#BREAKING: @UtahKarianne + @KeraBirk release a stern warning to Utah doctors claiming abortions “remain a felony” in Utah. But…A judge has stayed the trigger law. Meaning it doesn’t take effect. And an 18 week abortion ban is. There’s no mention of that. #utpol (THREAD) pic.twitter.com/7sgXlgE3TK

— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) September 15, 2022

 

The letter claims that while Utah’s abortion trigger law is on hold and being sorted out in the courts if a doctor performs an abortion during this time, the state could then come after them. 

Additionally, the two Utah lawmakers are promising legislation that will strip medical licenses of anyone who violates the trigger ban using the injunction as a defense.

Further, the letter from @UtahKarianne and @KeraBirk promises new legislation to “automatically revoke” medical liscences of anyone who violates the trigger ban relying on the injuction as defense. pic.twitter.com/0QMXggQnl0

— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) September 15, 2022

 

A total of 22 members of the House signed the letter, but it did not come from the House. Two others who signed on are candidates for seats in the House of Representatives. However, Rep. Steve Handy, R-Clearfield, told KSL NewsRadio he didn’t know what he was signing. 

“My understanding when I was presented the letter is that it was more cautionary,” Handy told Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News. “It seems to me, that the letter is a little harsher than I recall agreeing to sign on to. 

Handy told Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News he is walking away from his signature, and that Lisonbee and Birkeland are wrong.

 

“I’m in a position where all of this, as law-abiding citizens, we follow the law,” he said. “And currently, my understanding is that, up to 18 weeks abortion is legal. But I’m hoping that the courts will institute the trigger law that I also voted for.”

Karrie Galloway, president, and CEO of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, issued the following statement.

“Our lawyers are reviewing the letter, but this appears to be a stunt to further harass abortion providers and stigmatize patients who need care,” the statement read. “PPAU is providing abortion care in full compliance with current law and always has. We are here for our patients and will continue to do everything we can to make sure all Utahns can get the health care they need.”

The ACLU of Utah also signed on to PPAU’s statement. 

Read more:

• Judge issues preliminary injunction, Utah abortion trigger law still blocked
• Utah’s trigger law will ban most abortions
• ‘So the state has options’: Sponsor of Utah’s trigger law proposes amending state constitution