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New Jersey Republican millionaire and Pennsylvania Senate candidate Mehmet Oz is facing heavy criticism after he said the decision about whether to terminate a pregnancy should be left to women, their doctors and "local political leaders."
Oz made the remark during the first and only debate between him and his Democratic rival John Fetterman when asked about whether or not he supported a federal abortion ban—as was recently proposed by South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsay Graham—banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
\u201cIn 2015 I had a miscarriage at more than 20 weeks of pregnancy.\nThe decision to have a D&C was between me, my husband and my doctor.\n\nIt sure as shit didn\u2019t include my \u201clocal elected official.\u201d\u201d— Jo \ud83c\udf3b (@Jo \ud83c\udf3b) 1666791022
Oz's answer prompted Fetterman to sound the alarm on Twitter, calling Oz's position "EXTREME" and warning should Oz win the Pennsylvania Senate race, he'd effectively hand the "political" side of abortion decisions to Republicans like Doug Mastriano, the GOP's candidate in Pennsylvania's gubernatorial election.
You can hear what Oz said in the video below.
\u201cDr. Oz literally said tonight that he wants "local political leaders" (like his buddy Doug Mastriano) to decide whether or not women have access to safe + legal abortions\n\nThat is EXTREME\n\nThese critical decisions should be made between a woman and her doctor. Period.\u201d— John Fetterman (@John Fetterman) 1666750742
Oz said:
"There should not be federal involvement in how state's decide their abortion decisions."
"As a physician, I've been in the room when there's some difficult conversations happening. I don't want the federal government involved with that at all."
"I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that's always allowed our nation to thrive, to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves."
In Pennsylvania, Republican lawmakers are seeking to restrict abortion at every turn and Mastriano—who Oz supported at a rally last month—has previously said there should be a six-week ban without exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother.
While Oz has said he supports allowing abortions under those exceptions, his response during the debate indicated he supports the ability of GOP legislatures to make their own laws in regard to the procedure.
His response was a stark contrast to the one made by Fetterman, who stressed the right to reproductive freedom should be enshrined in federal law.
Fetterman countered Oz, saying:
"I want to look into the face of every woman in Pennsylvania. You know, if you believe that the choice of your reproductive freedom belongs with Dr. Oz, then you have a choice."
"But if you believe that the choice for abortion belongs between you and your doctor, that's what I'd fight for."
Many criticized Oz in response and urged others to vote for Fetterman if they want to safeguard reproductive freedoms.
\u201cReally Dr. Oz? Sounds like you would be against Medicare and Medicaid, too since you think the Federal Government should be out of health care. I wonder how your fellow physicians and the over 63 million people on Medicare feel about that?\u201d— Mark (@Mark) 1666758047
\u201cIf Dr. Oz gets his way, where does this end? Would he recommend local officials make decisions about cancer treatments? Colonoscopies? Or is this kind of scrutiny reserved just for women?\u201d— Joe Biden (@Joe Biden) 1666799154
\u201cDown with Extremist snake oil lying Oz and vote for FETTERMAN. Pennsylvania will be much better off!\n#VoteBlueToSaveAmerica\u201d— Marianne Zarro (@Marianne Zarro) 1666753927
\u201cWomen of PA, how big are your doctor's offices? That's a lot of people in the room with you! Vote for Fetterman please\u201d— Scigirl3 (@Scigirl3) 1666756442
\u201cToday Dr. Oz and his friend Brian Fitzpatrick said the same thing in their debates. These men believe that politicians should make decisions about what women do with their own bodies. From this comment to Brian's support for an abortion ban, they have made themselves clear.\u201d— Ashley Ehasz (@Ashley Ehasz) 1666757898
\u201cWhat Mehmet Oz means when he says abortion should be between "a woman, her doctor, and local political leaders." #PASenateDebate \n\nThx @amyschumer\u201d— Shannon Watts (@Shannon Watts) 1666787270
\u201cThe people that were worried about politicians making health decisions want politicians making health decisions.\u201d— Just Brendon (@Just Brendon) 1666753620
Last week, Democratic President Joe Biden in a speech vowed to codify Roe v. Wade—the 1973 landmark decision that once protected a person's right to choose reproductive health care without excessive government restriction—into law should Democrats win next month's midterm elections.
The GOP has doubled down on its opposition to abortion, and last month Senator Graham proposed a bill that would institute a federal ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Graham had previously said reproductive rights should be left up to state legislatures to decide.
Graham's decision to introduce the bill—effectively taking the decision away from the states—offers a preview of how Republicans will act in the event they retake control of Congress.