Hickenlooper: Fetal Heartbeat Bills Like Georgia’s Are ‘Unconstitutional’
CHUCK TODD: You know, and one of these battles where we have this a lot is on the issue of abortion. And I'm curious, when it comes to this idea of trying to basically break impasses, which I think is essentially what you're trying to say. You're going to be, you’re going to be a guy that's going to try to break an impasse. You have a lot of states, Georgia's the latest, that are passing fetal heartbeat bills. Essentially, they're trying to prevent abortions, making them illegal the minute you can hear a heartbeat. What is your reaction to laws that like? Do you believe they're unconstitutional or not? And what is the line on abortion for you?
FMR. GOV. JOHN HICKENLOOPER: Well, I think those laws are unconstitutional. And I think from my point of view, I recognize the difficulty of the question and I empathize with people on both sides. But I believe, I've always come down on the side of a woman's right to take care of her own health care.
CHUCK TODD: Is there any limit?
FMR. GOV. JOHN HICKENLOOPER: One of the things we did in Colorado --
CHUCK TODD: Is there any limit that you believe there should be?
FMR. GOV. JOHN HICKENLOOPER: Well --
CHUCK TODD: What is it?
FMR. GOV. JOHN HICKENLOOPER: Wait, wait, wait, wait. But one of the things we did in Colorado over the course of five years, we got some foundation money, but we provided long-acting, reversible contraception. Things like Norplants and IUDs to 15 to 25 year old young women. And in that process, over the last eight years, we have reduced teenage pregnancy and teenage abortion by over 60%. I mean, that's some of the -- I mean, that’s the kind of accomplishment and achievement we should be looking at. And again, you've got to have the debate. And I respect that, but I think a woman has to ultimately have the right to, you know, make decisions about her own health.
CHUCK TODD: And what is government's role at all? Should government just draw that line? Is there a line the government should draw?
FMR. GOV. JOHN HICKENLOOPER: I think that the Supreme Court has already drawn that line. And that in this country, women are allowed that, that final decision of those issues that most directly affect their health care.
