051674 hs Abortion' bill passed

By MILTON HOFFMAN
WRN Politics Writer

ALBANY - The state legislature has completed passage of a bill which sponsors call "health care" and opponents call ' ' a n t i -abortion,- and dumped the politically explosive measure into the lap of Gov. Malcolm Wilson.

Given up for lost almost a week ago by its sponsor. Assemblyman Harold Grune, RStony Point, the measure passed the Senate Wednesday night, 43-13. It had passed the Assembly by 85-33 on Tuesday.

The bill requires that abortions be performed in hospitals-, - not clinics or doctor's offices - after the 12th week of pregnancy. During abortions performed after the 20th week a second doctor would have to be present, to work to save the life of any fetus born alive.

PROPONENTS of the bill maintain it is a health care measure intended to protect the woman's life by requiring that certain abortions be performed in hospitals and to protect the life of any child that may survive the procedure. The measure's opponents argued that a second doctor is not needed. that present procedures are adequate, and that it will be unnecessary to require a doctor who might be needed elsewhere.

During a heated debate that lasted nearly three hours. Sen. Richard Schemerhorn. R-Orange, who helped carry the Grune bill in the Senate, remarked that many senators readily espouse some human rights issues. "There are some of us who want to protect the rights of the most defenseless human being of all, a newborn child." he noted.

But Sen. Carol Bellamy, DBrooklyn, one of the three women senators who argued against the bill retorted: "The only thing this is protecting is the rear ends of some of you for this election."

Grune brought the issue up last week, and many legislators applauded with relief when he withdrew the bill, stating he would amend it and introduce -the measure again next year. He brought the bill back in its amended version on Monday, and Gov. Wilson's message of necessity aided the bill in finding a place on the calendar, trimmed down for sooner adjournment.

WHEN THE U. S. SuPREMe Court upheld woman's right to an abortion in January, 1973, it appeared that the emotionally charged issue would be laid to rest. The Grune bill, however, now raises the issue in time for this year's election campaign. It puts Gov. Wilson, who personally opposes abortions, in the middle, because he must approve or veto the measure.

Mary Anne Krupsak. D-Canajohairiv, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, said the Grune bill would add an "unnecessary financial burden," and was introduced only for -patent publicity." "All this is for a do-nothing legislature to go home and say we did something for the people," she added.

Proponents of the measure indicated their concern over the lack of medical attention given toward saving infants in the rare instances when a live fetus survives an abortion. Sen. F r a n k Padavan, RQueens, said clinics used for abortions lack incubators and other life-saving devices needed in such emergencies.

Some senators who voted f or legalized abortion in 1970 were in favor of the Grune bill. They scoffed at arguments that the second doctor would be an extra expense, stating that usually a doctor or intern  was on duty in a hospital anyway. Black and Puerto Rican senators, however, noted that there were few doctors to go around now in the poverty areas.

All the senators from the Westchester, Rockland and Putnam areas voted for the measure.