The Wake County Commissioners had their monthly meeting today. On the agenda for ratification was the county manager's decision to stop providing complete health insurance that covers abortion procedures. The discussion was heated and, in the end, the vote to approve the change was tied. The County attorney, Scott Warren assured the Commission that they did not actually need to vote to approve the measure - the county manager has the authority to change it himself.

While the discussion was heated and members of the public on both sides spoke on the issue, it really served as a reminder of what was really at stake in Wake county and localities across the state. In 1973, the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, recognizing the right to privacy for all women. But Roe meant so much more than that; for some women it meant self-determination, but for some it literally meant the difference between life and death. Too often it is forgotten how many women had medical complications or died because of abortions performed in outside of medical facilities by doctors not qualified to perform them. Every time another hurdle is thrown in front of women trying to access abortion procedures, we take another step towards women losing their right to privacy, their right of self-determination, and maybe even losing their lives.

None of us can fully understand or appreciate the unique circumstances that a woman must consider with her doctor and her family when deciding whether or not to end a pregnancy. Hopefully we can agree that what we should do is support a woman facing such a decision and provide her with the access to medical personnel and procedures that she needs to stay healthy, not place additional burdens on a woman already in a difficult situation.

The Wake County Commission will no doubt be discussing this issue again in the future. Keep reminding the commissioners to protect access to abortion for Wake County employees. Visit Planned Parenthood's action center to send emails to the county commissioners.