Marjorie Dannenfelser - President, Susan B. Anthony Pro Life America | Official website

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has issued guidance on the state's pro-life law, clarifying the definition of "abortion" and outlining conditions under which doctors can use their clinical judgment. In her statement, Mayes explained that the term "abortion" does not include procedures to terminate an ectopic pregnancy or treat a miscarriage. She emphasized that once a physician forms a good faith clinical judgment, they are not required to wait for a patient's condition to deteriorate.

The guidance aligns with similar directives from Florida and Texas, as well as court decisions from the Texas and Idaho supreme courts. Pro-life laws nationwide generally include exceptions for the life of the mother and permit doctors to act in emergencies.

Adam Schwend, Western Regional Director of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, praised Mayes' guidance: “Attorney General Mayes is bucking the political rhetoric of others in the Democrat party by issuing guidance to protect women from abortion misinformation. Every pro-life law in the country including Arizona’s allows pregnant women to receive emergency care."

Schwend criticized President Joe Biden and abortion advocates for allegedly causing confusion about these provisions: “Joe Biden and the abortion lobby have been putting women in danger by causing confusion on this fact to justify an agenda for all-trimester abortion that Americans do not support.”

He called for bipartisan efforts to educate both the public and medical professionals: “We call for more bi-partisan Med Ed efforts throughout this country to educate the public so that pregnant women do not delay seeking care and doctors are fully aware they must continue to rely on their medical judgment.”

In March, South Dakota became the first state to pass a Med Ed law aimed at educating doctors and citizens about its 'life of the mother' provision. More recently, Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration issued guidance related to its new heartbeat law, while Texas Medical Board finalized rules directing physicians to rely on their medical judgment.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is an organization with over one million members dedicated to ending abortion through advocacy and electing pro-life leaders.