CAP: Arizona "Most-Improved State" in the Nation for Passing Pro-Life Laws

On the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Americans United for Life recognizes Arizona for "highly-successful legislative session"  

for protecting life.

Arizona has been recognized by the nation's leading pro-life organization as the country's "most-improved state" for passing life-affirming legislation. In Americans United for Life's annual Life List, Arizona is awarded the title for making huge strides in 2010 to protect the preborn.

In 2010, the Arizona Legislature passed four pro-life bills into law including a bill that made it the first state in the nation to opt out of the taxpayer-funded abortion mandate created under the new national healthcare law.

"Arizonans and their policymakers have made protecting life a priority," said Cathi Herrod, President of Center for Arizona Policy. "They recognize the importance of preserving life from its very beginning to its natural end."

Arizona was ranked 18th overall on the Life List, up from the number 22 spot in 2009, and 29 in 2008. Looking ahead, pro-life advocates hope to continue this trend in 2011. Already three CAP-supported pro-life bills have been introduced at the Arizona Legislature:

• HB 2416 protects women considering an abortion by banning the practice of abortion-via-webcam and requiring that an ultrasound is performed before an abortion.
• HB 2384 prohibits taxpayer dollars from directly or indirectly funding organizations that promote, provide referrals for, or train individuals to perform abortion.
• SCR 1017 acknowledges the profound and positive impact of Arizona's pregnancy care centers that provide help and resources for women and young girls with crisis pregnancies.

Americans United for Life released the list on the 38th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to legalize abortion in Roe v. Wade. Herrod and other pro-life leaders will be speaking at Arizona's annual March for Lifethis Sunday, January 23, at 1 p.m. at Steele Indian School Park.