O'Reilly Ignores Roe v. Wade, Calls Hillary Clinton's Position On Health Exceptions To Abortion Bans “Extreme”

Women Have A Constitutional Right To Abortion, And Bans On Late-Term Access Must Have Exceptions To Protect Life And Health Of the Mother

Written by Media Matters Staff

Published

Bill O’Reilly attempted to smear Hillary Clinton’s position on reproductive rights as “extreme,” stating Clinton believed “that any late term abortion should be acceptable if the mother’s health is in some kind of jeopardy,” falsely claiming “health could mean anything.” In reality, these abortions are extremely rare and O’Reilly’s claim that doctors might exaggerate a woman’s health risk does not line up with accounts given by women that have actually had late-term abortions. More significantly, the Supreme Court has repeatedly reaffirmed Roe v. Wade, and rather than “extreme,” a health exception to a late-term abortion ban is constitutionally required in order to protect the mother's life or health. From the November 4 edition of Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor:

BILL O'REILLY (HOST): Talking Points respects sincerely held beliefs, even those that go against my conscience, but we are not seeing that kind of respect in this campaign, are we?

Here is a vivid example. Last week, the Catholic Diocese of Rockwell Center, where I live on Long Island, issued a very heartfelt letter on abortion. While the bishop did not take a political side, he clearly states that anyone, anyone who would support taking the life of a late term baby. for anything other than the life of the mother is participating in a grave injustice.

The bishop and every other cleric in this country have a perfect right to state that position, without being attacked or scorned. Hillary Clinton's position is that any late term abortion should be acceptable, if the mother's health is in some kind of jeopardy.

But as we all know, health could mean anything, which is why there are laws against late-term abortion, and Mrs. Clinton's position is extreme but has gone relatively unnoticed.