Could Arizona become the next Alabama on abortion?

Alabama’s legislature just passed a law that essentially bans abortions in the state. It says a doctor who performs an abortion could face up to 99 years in prison. It does not allow for an exception in the case of rape or incest.

The law will wind up in court now that the governor has signed it.

It’s a horror for women’s health. Particularly in the case of poor women.

And there’s no telling what kind of economic consequences there might be for the state.

It’s grim, mean-spirited, cruel and something that the people who run Arizona would look upon with … envy.

This is a backroom power broker's dream

I’m speaking about the real people who run Arizona. Behind-the-scenes power brokers like Cathi Herrod of the Center for Arizona Policy, to whom Gov. Doug Ducey and just about every other Republican stalwart bows in fealty.

The Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature have for years, at the bidding of Herrod, tried to make Arizona the most restrictive abortion state in the nation.

No matter the cruelty.

Like when they passed a law that lumps together those seeking abortions with those who are terminating a pregnancy (most often at a doctor’s suggestion) after learning of a fatal fetal anomaly or because something has gone wrong with the fetus or the pregnancy, endangering the woman.

How emboldened do they feel?

There have been numerous other restrictions. And those pushing that agenda feel emboldened by President Donald Trump and the conservative Supreme Court. At least as long as a legislature remains in control of Republicans.

In Arizona, that's not the sure bet it once was.

Abortion rights groups have filed several lawsuits challenging Arizona laws.

One of them said the intent of our laws is to "impede both women and medical providers so systematically that abortion becomes more onerous and even unavailable to many.”

Not just many – all.

You know who's unprotected? Women

That’s the goal.

And depending on how things go in Alabama, Herrod and her elected minions may choose to follow Alabama’s lead.

Eric Johnston, head of the Alabama Pro-life Coalition, explained the reasoning used to prohibit abortions for victims of rape or incest. He said, "Regardless of how the conception takes place, the product is a child, and so we're saying that that unborn child is a person entitled to protection of law. So if, be it a rape or incest conception, then it would be impossible to ask a judge which of these is protected by law and which is not.”

And who is definitely NOT protected?

Women.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.