Kansas Rep: I saw a baby survive an abortion and that’s why I sponsored a law | Commentary

I personally saw a baby survive an abortion attempt.

It was 1988. I was the medical resident on duty at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas when I was called to a “Code Blue”.

Typically, when this happens someone is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, such as cardiac arrest. But no one seemed in distress this time. The attending surgeon was not actively providing care. The young woman on the operating table was awake, and seemed in no distress.

Then there was a cry. I turned to see a premature infant in the corner of the room on a metal table.

He had accomplished the seemingly impossible — survived his abortion. Though strong enough to live briefly outside the womb, he was still too young to survive very long separated from his mother. Healthcare had failed to take his life, then subsequently was able to offer very little to help him live.

I transferred my patient to the Neonatal Intensive Care unit for further care when it became obvious he was too tough to die quickly. Over several hours his breathing grew more labored. He grimaced. Then his grunting quieted, movement ceased, and the grimace passed. I pronounced him dead.

This was the first I knew of an infant surviving an abortion attempt. I assumed it was rare. But then our county health department investigated infant mortality cases, and found 27 of these babies born alive over a 3-year period.

It has been an honor for me to serve in the Kansas House of Representatives and to join with more than 50 of my colleagues in the 2023 session to co-sponsor the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. This bill is now law. It ensures that Kansas medical providers provide appropriate care for any baby born alive.

Another important provision in the law is the reporting of cases like this, what medical care is provided, and other information.

I encourage other states to follow Kansas by passing laws like this to ensure that the rights of these survivors are upheld.

Rep. Ron Bryce, R-Coffeyville, is a physician and represents District 11 in the Kansas House of Representatives.