Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, addressed former President Donald Trump as the “architect” of a health care crisis attributed to the rollback of abortion access in several states after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Speaking during a campaign event in Atlanta on Friday, Harris described stricter abortion laws as “immoral” and criticized Republicans for what she described as "longstanding neglect" concerning maternal mortality.
In her remarks, Harris condemned Republicans who claim to act in the best interest of women and children, questioning their previous actions, and asking, “How dare they? How dare they? Come on.”
To bolster her argument on the campaign trail, Harris cited recent ProPublica reports detailing the deaths of two Georgia women, Amber Thurman and Candi Miller. These deaths were deemed "preventable" by a state committee of maternal health experts in light of Georgia’s stringent abortion laws, which permit abortion only in cases of rape, incest, or threats to the mother’s life.
Thurman and Miller reportedly died due to complications after their bodies did not fully expel fetal tissue following medication abortions, according to ProPublica. Thurman succumbed after doctors delayed treatment for over 20 hours due to an infection. Miller passed away at home without seeking treatment, reportedly refraining due to the restrictive abortion laws, as stated by her family. NPR has not independently verified this reporting.
Some anti-abortion groups opposed attributing these deaths to abortion laws, instead faulting the Biden administration’s relaxed regulations on medication abortion. Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, claimed the deaths were not due to law denying treatment but rather blamed the administration’s loosening of safety requirements and inadequate medical care.
Republicans also disputed Harris’ link between the women’s deaths and abortion laws. GOP spokesperson Morgan Ackley accused the vice president of spreading “misinformation,” noting that Georgia’s laws include exceptions for rape, incest, and life-threatening medical emergencies, asserting there was no impediment to doctors acting promptly to protect mothers’ lives.
The event in Atlanta unfolded as the presidential campaign approached its final six-week stretch, with Georgia identified as a pivotal swing state. Abortion rights remain a significant issue for motivating Democratic voters.
Dr. Keisha Reddick, a Savannah OB-GYN, introduced Harris at the event, highlighting the detrimental impact of Georgia’s abortion restrictions on women’s health and lives. She shared her experiences with patients fearful of restrictive laws, individuals leaving the state for necessary care, and medical professionals avoiding Georgia due to legal risks associated with their practice.
Harris also addressed abortion issues in a campaign event with Oprah Winfrey in Michigan on Thursday and planned to hold a campaign rally in Madison, Wisconsin, later on Friday.
