OB-GYN group disputes Rep. Walsh's 'life of the mother' abortion remarks

Oct 20 2012

News outlets are reporting on the developing controversy over Republican Rep. Joe Walsh's comments after a debate last night that abortion is never necessary to save the life of the mother.

Chicago Tribune: New Firestorm Over Walsh Comments On Abortion
At a televised debate with opponent Tammy Duckworth, Republican [Rep. Joe] Walsh declared that abortion should be outlawed in all circumstances, including to save the life of the mother. But it was his comments to reporters after the event at WTTW Channel 11 that sparked the most attention. Walsh said that medical advances had rendered it unnecessary to ever perform an abortion to save a mother's life. "With modern technology and science, you can't find one instance," Walsh declared  (Secter, 10/19).

Bloomberg Businessweek: House Republican Says Abortion Not Needed to Save Lives 
"There's no such exception as life of the mother," Walsh said to reporters after a debate yesterday. "And as far as health of the mother, same thing, with advances in science and technology. Health of the mother has become a tool for abortions any time, under any reason." Walsh, who was supported in his 2010 victory by the anti- tax Tea Party movement, faces Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth ... He's defending his House seat representing Illinois' 8th District, which includes suburbs of Chicago (Tiron and Deprez, 10/19).

ABC News: Rep. Walsh Says No Need for Abortion to Save Mother's Life
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said remarks like Walsh's are one of their reasons they feel politicians need to "get out of our exam rooms. Contrary to the inaccurate statements made yesterday by Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), abortions are necessary in a number of circumstances to save the life of a woman or to preserve her health," the College wrote in a statement (Parnass, 10/19).

Politico: Medical Experts Say Abortions Still Needed Despite Advances
"Unfortunately, pregnancy is not a risk-free life event, particularly for many women with chronic medical conditions. Despite all of our medical advances, more than 600 women die each year from pregnancy- and childbirth-related reasons right here in the US. In fact, many more women would die each year if they did not have access to abortion to protect their health or to save their lives," [ACOG wrote] (Haberkorn, 10/19).

Roll Call: NRCC Has No Plans to Dump Joe Walsh
The National Republican Congressional Committee has no plans to cancel an ad reservation supporting Rep. Joe Walsh (Ill.), despite remarks made Thursday night that pregnancy never threatens the health or life of a woman. ... A spokeswoman for the NRCC, which has committed more than $450,000 for cable ads in the Chicagoland area, said the group will not cancel its buy through the election (Shiner, 10/19).