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White House orders strict enforcement of abortion law

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration said Friday that it would enforce a nearly 3-year-old federal law that requires doctors to attempt to keep alive a fetus that survives an abortion.

In making the announcement, the Department of Health and Human Services said it was an attempt to educate the public about the little-known law. Officials said they didn't know how often a fetus survives an abortion.

In a statement, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said his agency would "take proactive steps to educate state officials, health care providers, hospitals and child protection agencies about their obligation to born-alive infants under federal law."

The Born-Alive Infant Protection Act of 2002 amends the legal definitions of "person," "human being," "child" and "individual" to include any fetus that survives an abortion procedure.

Those who meet the definition of "individual" are entitled to certain protections under federal law. In particular, hospitals can't refuse to treat them.

HHS spokesman Kevin Keane said the department's action was not politically motivated. He said Leavitt had been asked about the issue at his confirmation hearing.

A spokesman for NARAL Pro-Choice America said the group did not oppose the 2002 legislation because it did not impede a woman's right to have an abortion.

[Last modified April 23, 2005, 00:55:10]