House approves born-alive survivors bill after heated floor debate and clarifying amendments

The Missouri House on March 19 adopted a committee substitute for House Bills 195 and 1119 that requires medical care for infants born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion, directing that such infants “exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as reasonably diligent and conscientious health care providers would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.”

The sponsor, Gentleman from Taney, a representative, described the bill as focused on “children born alive” after abortive procedures and said the measure affirms that a live-born infant is entitled to the same protections and medical care as any newborn. The sponsor removed one disputed subsection on the floor through an amendment he said addressed concerns raised in committee.

Floor debate became heated and at times personal. Critics — including medical professionals and…