Testimony in Support of Montana H.B. 167 the “Born-Alive Infant Protection Act ”

Dear Chair Usher, Vice Chair Regier, Vice Chair Kelker, and Members of the Committee:

My name is Catherine Glenn Foster, and I serve as President and CEO of Americans United for Life (AUL). Established in 1971, AUL is a national law and policy organization with a specialization in abortion, end-of-life issues, and bioethics law. Our vision at AUL is a nation where everyone is welcomed in life and protected in law. In my practice, I specialize in life-related legislation and constitutional law. I appreciate the opportunity to submit testimony in support of H.B. 167, the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, which would require a health care provider to take all medically appropriate steps to preserve the life of a born-alive infant.

In 2002, the federal Born-Alive Infant Protection Act (BAIPA) became law, clarifying that infants born alive at any stage of development are recognized as persons under federal law. On the Senate floor, Senator Boxer voiced her strong support for the bill, exclaiming, “Who would be more vulnerable than a newborn baby?” She continued, stating that “all of our people deserve protection, from the very tiniest infant to the most elderly among us.”¹ While the federal BAIPA ensures that all infants born alive have equal legal standing regardless of how they are born, it does not ensure life-saving protection. It is still necessary to require an affirmative action by a physician to ensure that an infant born alive after an abortion receives the same level of medical care as any other infant would.

H.B. 167 is more comprehensive than the federal BAIPA, reinforces the legal status provided in the federal version, and expands protections for born-alive infants. H.B. 167 would require that any infant born alive must be treated as a legal person, which includes the requirement that any health care provider present “take all medically appropriate and reasonable steps to preserve the life and health of the born-alive infant.” These requirements would ensure all born-alive infants will get the medical care and attention they need to survive.

Additionally, while Montana currently criminalizes “purposely, knowingly, or negligently”² causing the death of a premature, viable born-alive infant, the Act would bring Montana in line with many other states that go beyond that. At least eighteen states have laws creating a specific affirmative duty for physicians to provide medical care and treatment to born-alive infants at any stage of development.³ At least two other states have laws creating a specific affirmative duty for physicians to provide medical care and treatment to born-alive infants after viability.⁴

H.B. 167 is also necessary because the federal BAIPA has limited application. It only extends to hospitals operated by the federal government or which receive federal funding and the hospital’s employees. It would not require private or state-operated clinics and hospitals to provide care or medical attention to born-alive infants. However, the “right” to an abortion does not include the right to kill a live born child, or justify the denial of basic protections for born, living human infants, and H.B. 167 would create the affirmative duty of health care providers to give medically appropriate and reasonable care for the most vulnerable members of the community.

In conclusion, Montana should support H.B. 167, the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, thereby continuing to uphold its duty to protect the lives of all its citizens, no matter the circumstances in which they were born. Thank you.

Respectfully Submitted,