The Current Issue

CDC reported a total of 862K abortions for 2017. 1.3% of abortions were equal to or greater than 20 weeks gestation. The cut-off age for abortion in California is 24-weeks gestational age. Recent scientific studies show a 75% survival rate at 24 weeks gestational age. At this gestational marker, if labor occurs, most children experience mild to no neurological and developmental issues by their second birthday. These positive outcomes are primarily due to recent advancements in neonatal intensive care and neonatal science. As a result of these new advancements, many 24-week gestational age fetuses chosen for abortions can be potentially viable human beings by today's medical standards. Moreover, studies show many women who experience late-term abortions suffer from emotional distress and conflict for many decades, if not for their lifetime.

Existing Law

The Supreme Court does not define viability because they say the point of viability varies. The court ruled in Roe v. Wade (1973) and reaffirmed in Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), that viability is the point at which there is a realistic possibility of maintaining and nourishing a life outside the womb, creating a "compelling interest" in protecting the life of a developing infant. Advancements in Neonatal technology such as Advanced Hemodynamic Monitoring, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilators, and much more are dramatically improving the chance of life for premature births. Over the last two decades, we have seen tremendous improvements. Treating a 24-week gestational age preemie in the early 2000s was near 25%, where today we see a significant increase of a 75% success rate.

Angels In Waiting, the founder AB1133-Chapter 490 helped create an existing state law that requires the Department of Social Services to develop a program for the establishment of medically fragile foster care homes for children with special health care needs. When determining the placement of a foster child who is medically fragile, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1760.2 of the Health and Safety Code, "priority placement" shall be given to a foster parent who is an individual nurse provider, as defined in subdivision (m) of Section 14143.26 14043.26 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, who provides health services under the federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Private Duty Nursing program (Section 1396d(a)(4)(B) of Title 42 of the United States Code).

Our Solution

Sammy’s Bill would allow women intent on having a late-term abortion of 24+-weeks to terminate their pregnancy and save the life of the potentially viable fetus. This legislation would allow doctors to induce labor using the same safeguards, techniques, and pre-term induction protocols already in use to successfully save 24-week gestational age wanted preemies.

To ensure these “medically fragile” infants have nurturing homes, organizations like Angels In Waiting, Olive Crest, and other Foster Family Agencies cater to the medically fragile pediatric population throughout California. They are equipped to provide care for and find permanent homes for these preemie infants once a doctor deems it appropriate for them to be released from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Organizations like Angels in Waiting’s Nurse Provider Program and Olive Crest are certified by the State of California, and both have high adoption rates, giving these viable infants and children a fighting chance at life, love, and a forever home.