Vikki Moran
Updated on: October 13, 2024 6:44 am GMT
Vice President Kamala Harris has shifted her campaign into high gear this week, focusing on abortion rights as a pivotal issue for voters. Her urgent response comes on the heels of a troubling report linking the deaths of two women in Georgia to delays in medical care caused by the state’s stringent abortion laws. At a series of campaign events, Harris has called out the hypocrisy of those implementing these bans, urging voters to recognize the real consequences that such laws impose on families and women seeking care.
Tragic Stories Illuminate the Stakes
The catalyst for Harris’ fervent advocacy was a ProPublica report detailing the deaths of Amber Thurman, 28, and Candi Miller, both of whom faced serious medical complications exacerbated by Georgia’s six-week abortion ban. Thurman tragically died after complications from a medication abortion led to an infection. Due to the law, doctors in Georgia delayed providing necessary care for over 20 hours, claiming it was too risky to operate until she was near death.
- Thurman’s Story: Planned to become a nurse, she took abortion pills after finding out she was pregnant with twins; complications arose when the fetal tissue was not fully expelled.
- Miller’s Situation: A mother of three with serious health issues, Miller also took abortion pills but endured a similar outcome, fearing prosecution if she sought help. Her husband eventually found her unresponsive at home.
Both women’s deaths were deemed preventable by a state health review committee, raising serious questions about the effect of abortion laws on medical care.
Harris’ Call to Action
During her campaign stops, including a rally in Georgia, Harris connected these tragic stories to a broader narrative about women’s rights and health care. Speaking to an audience where the mother of one victim was present, Harris pointedly asked, “Where ya been?” addressing those who support abortion bans without acknowledging the associated risks to maternal health.
“In these communities, health care has long been neglected,” Harris said. “We cannot ignore that.”
In a poignant moment during a livestream event with Oprah Winfrey, Harris expressed empathy for families affected by such laws, reinforcing her stance: “The courage that you all have shown is extraordinary.”
Polling Insights and Voter Sentiment
As Harris draws attention to the stakes of abortion rights, polls indicate that voters share her concerns. According to a New York Times/Siena College poll, 54% of likely voters trust Harris more than former President Donald Trump regarding abortion rights.
Key findings from the poll include:
- Young Voters (Ages 18-29): Nearly 75% trust Harris on abortion rights.
- Black Voters: 83% express confidence in Harris on this issue.
- Hispanic Voters: 63% trust her more than Trump.
In contrast, Trump maintains an edge on issues like the economy, highlighting the significant gap in voter confidence regarding reproductive rights.
The Impact of Abortion Laws
The effects of Georgia’s abortion ban extend beyond the tragic stories of individuals. According to Dr. Nisha Verma, an obstetrician and gynecologist in Georgia, medical practitioners are now trapped in a grey area, forced to make perilous decisions about when to intervene in emergencies.
- Delayed Interventions: Medical staff face dilemmas since the law lacks clarity on when an intervention is permissible. “There is not a line in the sand where someone goes from being completely fine to acutely dying,” Dr. Verma stated.
- Real-life Consequences: Many women now confront pain and distress while navigating the health care system, worried that seeking treatment may lead to legal repercussions.
Voter Concerns on National Abortion Policies
Recent surveys suggest that a significant majority of voters believe that the outcome of the upcoming election will affect abortion rights substantially. A Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) poll found that:
- 89% of Voters: Think this election will impact abortion rights.
- 61%: Expect a “major” impact on these rights.
Despite this awareness, establishing a federal law to ensure abortion rights appears unlikely. The legislatures would require a supermajority of 60 votes in the Senate to pass any such measure.
Framing Abortion Rights for Broader Appeal
While polling suggests that abortion rights resonate strongly with female voters, Harris’s campaign is making efforts to ensure that the issue also engages male voters. During their current Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour in Pennsylvania, campaign strategists framed abortion rights as a personal freedoms issue, showcasing testimonials from families affected by abortion bans.
- Inclusion in the Movement: By highlighting shared experiences, Harris hopes to attract a broader demographic to her cause and galvanize support across all voter segments.
As the election cycle ramps up, it is clear that the narrative surrounding abortion rights will significantly influence the political landscape. With Harris taking the lead, the Democratic campaign is amplifying voices of those affected by abortion restrictions, striving for a collective push towards change.
As our country sees changes in how people feel about reproductive health and faces new laws, it’s really important for voters to know how their choices can affect things. The experiences of Amber Thurman and Candi Miller remind us that decisions made in government have real effects on people’s lives. Their stories might encourage more people to vote as they get ready for election day.
