Politics & Government
5 Babies Died After Failed Abortions In 2021: MN Dept. Of Health
The babies were born alive after an attempted induced abortion failed, according to a report from the Minnesota Department of Health.
MINNEAPOLIS — A total of five babies died after they were born alive due to a failed induced abortion in 2021, according to an annual report from the Minnesota Department of Health.
Minnesota's "Born Alive Infants Protection Act" of 2015 legally recognizes all born-alive infants resulting from an induced abortion as a human person.
The law states that "reasonable measures consistent with good medical practice shall be taken by the responsible medical personnel to preserve the life and health of the born alive infant."
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The law also requires the following information to be publicly reported:
Whether the abortion resulted in a born-alive infant
What medical actions were taken to preserve the life of the infant
Whether the infant survived
The status, if known, of a surviving infant
According to the Department of Health, five abortion procedures that resulted in a born-alive infant were reported in 2021.
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The babies died in all five cases:
In one instance, fetal anomalies were reported resulting in death shortly after delivery. No measures taken to preserve life were reported and the infant did not survive.
In two instance, comfort care measures were provided as planned and the infant did not survive. •
In two instances, the infant was previable. No measures taken to preserve life were reported and the infant did not survive.
Read the state's entire report on induced abortions in 2021 here.
Of its immediate neighbors, the state of Minnesota has the least restrictive abortion laws in effect. As a result, the state is set to become an abortion destination following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe. v. Wade.
Meanwhile, North and South Dakota have near-complete abortion bans that are set to take effect following the decision. Iowa and Wisconsin already have laws on the books that ban abortion.
Related: Minnesota Abortion Restrictions Struck Down By Ramsey County Judge
Patch has reached out to the Minnesota Department of Health for comment.
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