Physicians who perform abortions in Oklahoma are at risk of getting their medical licenses revoked, according to the Miami Herald.
A bill passed by the state legislature this week stipulates physicians who engage in "unprofessional conduct" by performing abortions would be barred from obtaining or renewing their medical licenses, according to the report.
The bill, which passed the state Senate in early March and the state House on April 21, would not apply to abortions performed in cases of rape or incest or to save a mother's life.
Both the House and the Senate are controlled by Republicans. Gov. Mary Fallin (R) has not yet disclosed whether she will sign the bill.
Democrats are outnumbered roughly two-to-one in the House. Several fought against the bill, arguing it is misguided and unconstitutional. State Rep. Emily Virgin (D) asked House Rep. David Brumbaugh (R), who co-sponsored the bill, about a statement from the Oklahoma State Medical Association, which said it has not chosen sides on the abortion debate but opposes the legislation because it overrides physician judgment, according to the report.
"We already have a severe physician shortage in Oklahoma, so are you at all concerned about physicians leaving Oklahoma if this bill becomes law?" Rep. Virgin asked, according to the report. Rep. Brumbaugh said he does not expect the bill to affect physician retention because it would only impact physicians who perform abortions, according to the report.
Other Democrats suggested the bill would cause a rise in unintended pregnancies.
"Oklahoma politicians have made it their mission year after year to restrict women's access vital healthcare services, yet this total ban on abortion is a new low," said Amanda Allen, senior state legislative counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights, which advocates for abortion rights, according to the report. "The Center for Reproductive Rights is closely watching this bill and we strongly urge Gov. Fallin to reject this cruel and unconstitutional ban."