Women- Not Government- In South Dakota Should Make Their Own Healthcare Decisions

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement following news of the South Dakota State Senate's approval of a ban on abortion:

"Once again, Republican politicians, this time in South Dakota, are injecting themselves into deeply personal and private health care decisions that Americans believe women and families have the right to make for themselves. We can all agree that abortion should be rare, but it should also be safe and legal. This difficult personal health care decision should be made by a woman, in consultation with her physician, and not by politicians.

"Democratic leaders are working hard on prevention efforts by improving women's access to healthcare, and increasing educational and economic opportunities in order to help decrease the number of unintended pregnancies. Democrats will remain steadfast in protecting the individual rights and freedoms of not only women but all Americans."