Tennessee Woman Shares Her Experience with Abortion Laws and Runs for State House Seat
In a recent interview, Allie Phillips, a Tennessee woman, opened up about her personal experience with the state's restrictive abortion laws and her decision to run for a state house seat. Phillips shared her story in the hopes of shedding light on the challenges faced by women in accessing necessary healthcare.
Phillips and her husband were overjoyed when they learned they were expecting a baby girl in November 2022. However, their excitement turned to devastation during a routine ultrasound at 19 weeks of pregnancy. They discovered that their daughter, whom they named Miley Rose, had multiple major organ malformations and was not viable for survival. Moreover, Phillips was informed that her own health was at risk as the pregnancy progressed.
With limited options available, Phillips sought an abortion. However, she soon learned that Tennessee's strict abortion ban only allowed for exceptions in cases where the mother's life was at risk or in instances of serious impairment to bodily function. Unfortunately, Phillips did not meet the criteria for an abortion under these conditions.
Phillips's story highlights the restrictive nature of Tennessee's abortion laws, which only permit abortion when the mother's life is in imminent danger or there is a risk of serious and irreversible impairment to bodily function. Even recent exceptions for ectopic and molar pregnancies do not adequately address situations such as Phillips's nonviable pregnancy.
Motivated by her own experience, Phillips decided to run for a state house seat to advocate for change. She hopes to draft legislation called Miley's Law, which would grant choice to parents facing a diagnosis of fetal anomalies. Phillips met with her current representative, Jeff Burkhart, to seek support for her proposed bill. However, despite promises of assistance, Burkhart has not taken any action to help her cause.
Aware of the challenges ahead, Phillips understands that achieving her goals in a heavily conservative state like Tennessee will require a step-by-step approach. While she personally advocates for a complete lifting of the abortion ban, she acknowledges the need for incremental progress. She commends Republican Representative Briggs for proposing a bill that would provide exceptions for nonviable pregnancies, signaling the potential for bipartisan collaboration.
Phillips's story brings attention to the complex and often heartbreaking decisions women face when navigating reproductive healthcare. Her determination to advocate for change and ensure access to necessary healthcare options for all women serves as an inspiration to many. As she continues her campaign, Phillips hopes to work across party lines to achieve progress and ensure that women's voices are heard.
With the upcoming election, Phillips aims to secure a seat in the state house and make a meaningful impact on the lives of women in Tennessee. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of reproductive healthcare and the need for compassionate legislation that supports women's choices and autonomy.
