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Media Statement For IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 5, 2008 Communications Director: Crystal Clinkenbeard, 720-989-7693 (cell) Denver, CO (October 7, 2008)— Standing in front of the Colorado State Capitol today, Governor Bill Ritter will formally announced his opposition to Amendment 48, the so-called “personhood” amendment. Former Republican State Senator Dottie Wham, medical professionals, a representative of the Colorado Bar Association, former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Jean Dubofsky, and about fifty activists joined Governor Ritter at the event. “I am opposing Amendment 48 because it is indeed bad policy, bad medicine and bad law. It takes an extreme position,” said Governor Ritter. “It goes way too far. It threatens medical care, and it would create a legal nightmare in our state.” “Coloradans have a long and proud history of rejecting government intrusion into their personal and family decisions. Coloradans also have a long and proud history of coming up with unique solutions to problems and challenges. Amendment 48 doesn’t solve anything, and in fact will only create problems.” The opposition to Amendment 48 encompasses a broad coalition. Former Republican State Senator Dottie Wham joined the Governor in opposing Amendment 48. “Coloradans have seen this before—radical extremists tried to write their anti-family, anti-choice views into state policy in 2000, 1998, 1996, and 1994,” said Wham. “Each time, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents united to fight back and protect the rights of all Coloradans. Now, we must do it again.” The Colorado Medical Society, Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, and Colorado Gynecological Obstetrical Society, and the Denver Chapter of the Certified Nurse Midwives oppose Amendment 48 because it is “bad medicine.” Amendment 48 “is a one-sentence Amendment that could sentence a family to a lifetime of heartache,” said Eliza Johnson, a certified nurse midwife. “Some pregnancies are complicated--a woman discovers that she has cancer, or a previously undetected heart defect threatens the woman’s health and her pregnancy. In these instances, the treatment that may save the woman’s life could harm the pregnancy. This amendment could prohibit helping a pregnant woman if the treatment damaged a fertilized egg. That’s wrong. It is bad medicine.” Dr. Eric Surrey, a board certified OB-GYN and fertility expert, described the process of fertilization and risks of ectopic pregnancies. “Amendment 48 would take options, some life-saving options, away from health care providers because a fertilized egg would have the same rights as your wife, sister, or best friend,” said Dr. Surrey. The Colorado Bar Association opposes Amendment 48 solely because it is “bad law.” “We regularly review drafts of public policy, as a nonpartisan public service. Our Executive Council voted to oppose Amendment 48 on the grounds that it will significantly impact the laws of Colorado and present a number of unintended consequences,” said David Lytle, past president of the Colorado Bar Association. “Specifically to redefine the term ‘person’ as Amendment 48 proposes would effectively amend all the statutes that contain that term.” The word “person” appears more than 20,000 times in the Colorado Revised Statutes. “Almost every area of law would be impacted including criminal, family law, trusts and estates, elder law, tort law, personal injury, juvenile law, health law, and business law,” said Lytle. “If passed by voters, Amendment 48 would have far-reaching consequences and would create great mischief in our Colorado Constitution.” Former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Jean Dubofsky agreed with Lytle. “Amendment 48 complicates routine property transfers or administration of estates,” said Dubofsky. “Voters should heed the Bar Associations concerns and reject Amendment 48.” Wrapping up the event, Dr. Eliza Buyers said, “Amendment 48 is bad policy, bad medicine, and bad law. That’s why 80 state and national organizations have formed a broad-based coalition to defeat this dangerous amendment.”
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