Statement by Senator Charlie Laster

“I initially voted in favor of Senate Bill 714.

“However, in the days since that vote I have visited with Governor Henry and multiple medical professionals.

“I am pro-life and I have consistently voted for pro-life legislation. This bill, however, holds poorer Oklahomans to a different standard than everyone else and I can’t support that. It does not allow an exception in the case of rape or incest and medical experts in Oklahoma believe this bill will undermine the relationship between doctors and their patients. The bill also interferes with private health insurance coverage.

“Governor Henry was urged to veto the measure by the Oklahoma State Medical Association, Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Oklahoma Nurses Association.

“For these reasons, I decided to stand with the medical community and vote to uphold Governor Henry’s veto.”