Promoting Life
By State Rep. Rick West
The House passed three pro-life bills over the past few weeks.
House Bill 1102 would revoke for at least a year the licenses of physicians who perform abortions except in the case of saving the life of the mother.
House Bill 2441 would stop abortions from being performed once an unborn child is determined to have a detectable heartbeat. The measure also would require any facility where abortions are performed to post a sign in a conspicuous place stating it is against the law for anyone to force another person to have an abortion and that abortions induced by medication using a two-step process may be reversible if the second dosage has not been taken within the first 24 hours.
House Bill 1904 would require any physician who performs an abortion in the state to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology and be board certified. This would at least protect a woman’s health should an abortion be performed.
I’m unabashedly pro-life, and I wish abortions were never performed, but until this issue is reversed in our courts, I will continue to promote every bill possible to protect the lives of the unborn and the health of women who are pregnant.
Also this past week, I met with the Oklahoma Director of Transportation, Tim Gatz. We discussed the Tin Horn Replacement and some county roads that join onto state highways and how ODOT and the county commissioners can work together on these issues. We talked about roads in Pocola, the main highway running through Poteau, and other projects. The Poteau Bypass, Pleasant Valley Road, is a very dangerous intersection. We talked about possible solutions to improve safety there. We also discussed Broadway in Poteau, which is the state highway, as well as the cleaning of Overpass Road going to Cavanaugh, and the possibility of putting in passing lanes on the highway between Poteau and Heavener.
Back on the legislative front, we passed House Bill 1019, which would cap the cost of insulin for many Oklahomans with Type 1 diabetes. The amount of copayment an individual would be required to pay would be capped at $90 for a 90-day supply. Currently, an individual’s copay is based on their own insurance plan, and the price can be very high. This is a good bill for those that struggle with trying to manage this disease.
Another bill would grant Oklahoma farmers and ranchers an exemption from having to submit a copy of their IRS Schedule F Form when applying for a farm tax exemption from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The Tax Commission changed the rule this year requiring the form without going through the regular administrative rule making process. This measure would reverse that action.
On a final note, I want to celebrate the fact that the Carl Albert State College Board voted recently to start a wrestling program. This is exciting for students, parents, area coaches and our whole community. This is going to be a great deal for our area, and I can’t wait to see it get up and running.
Remember to listen to me on KPRV Radio each Thursday morning during the legislative session. And if I can help you with anything, feel free to call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West represents District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes part of LeFlore County.
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