Episode 31: The abortion debate in Pa.

Like other states attempting to curtail abortion, Pennsylvania has its own bill.

• Katie Meyer
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Katie Meyer was WITF’s Capitol Bureau Chief from 2016-2020. While at WITF, she covered all things state politics for public radio stations throughout Pennsylvania. Katie came to Harrisburg by way of New York City, where she worked at Fordham University’s public radio station, WFUV, as an anchor, general assignment reporter, and co-host of an original podcast. A 2016 graduate of Fordham, she earned several awards for her work at WFUV, including four 2016 Gracies.
  
  Katie is a native New Yorker, though she originally hails from Troy, a little farther up the Hudson River. She can attest that the bagels are still pretty good there.
  
  WITF's Capitol Bureau Chief Desk is partially funded through generous gifts made in the memory of Tony May through the Anthony J. May Memorial Fund.
  
  For more information about Tony May, click here.

 Tom Downing / WITF

The Pennsylvania state Capitol is seen in this file photo.

Efforts to seriously curtail abortion in Alabama, Missouri, Georgia, Ohio and other states may have dominated the news the last few days, but here in Pennsylvania, state lawmakers have been busy moving their own proposed restriction on the procedure.

The bill in question passed the House on about a week ago. It would ban abortions that are sought based on a Down syndrome diagnosis, and would carry heavy penalties for the doctors that perform them. They could be stuck with a third-degree felony and lose their medical license.

Debate on the House floor sounded like debate on lots of efforts to curb abortion. Opponents say it’s morally wrong, and those who want to keep it legal say the bill would burden an essential right.

Here to discuss where the issue stands in Pennsylvania, and why this bill is the top priority right now, are two Capitol reporters: John Baer is a Philly Inquirer columnist who has covered decades of abortion debates, and Stephen Caruso with the Penn Capitol Star has been taking a close look at how these votes have shifted in recent years.