The Swedish abortion law was introduced in 1975 and the investigation aims to adapt the law to the medical development that has taken place. Then it was about a surgical procedure, today almost all medical abortions are performed with medication.
The investigator Inga-Maj Andersson submitted the final report with a number of proposals to Health Minister Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD).
Among other things, it is proposed that the current requirement for an abortion to be performed at a healthcare facility be removed. For medical abortions, the person seeking an abortion must today take the first medication at a healthcare facility, in the future, it should be possible to do this at home, according to the investigators.
The methods for how to perform an abortion and who can provide professional support have changed, says Acko Ankarberg Johansson.
Larger role for midwives
At the same time, the person seeking an abortion will still need to turn to a facility that provides abortion care.
Furthermore, the investigation proposes that the right to have an abortion up to and including week 18 of pregnancy be clearly stated in the law.
Today, it is stated in the National Board of Health and Welfare's regulations that the healthcare provider should have routines that enable the woman to have an abortion as soon as possible after the decision. We want to incorporate that into the law, says Inga-Maj Andersson.
The investigator also wants it not to be specified in the law which professional categories are allowed to perform abortions. It should be knowledge and competence that decide.
We believe that both doctors and midwives possess that competence, but it could also be others. We think it should be investigated both legally and medically, says Inga-Maj Andersson.
If more abortions can be performed at home, the investigator believes that there may be a need for increased telephone counseling.
It should also always be possible to come to a healthcare facility for those who need it, says Andersson.
New language
They also want to modernize the language in the law – including changing the word "woman" to "the person who is pregnant".
Today, there is the possibility for those who are legally men to become pregnant and should therefore have the right to abortion. This does not negatively affect the right to abortion for women, it is still a women's rights issue, says Andersson.
