North Carolina ‘born-alive’ abortion bill wins final passage

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina lawmakers have given final passage to a bill to require doctors and nurses to care for babies born alive during a failed late-term abortion, a measure critics say is really intended to intimidate abortion providers.

The state House passed the bill Tuesday, a day after the Senate did so. The measure would bring prison time and big fines for medical practitioners who don’t give children born during a botched abortion the same protections as any other newborn.

Democratic Rep. Susan Fisher of Buncombe County criticized Republicans in the GOP-controlled legislature for pushing it through, saying the aim appears to be to intimidate health care providers from performing legally allowed abortions.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s office did not respond when asked Tuesday whether he planned to veto the bill.