Start Here Exclusive: Heartbreak and “Heartbeat Laws”
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Dec 10, 2025 Rachel Scott, a Senior Political Correspondent for ABC News, leads the conversation as she interviews April Newkirk about her daughter Adriana's heartbreaking fate. The discussion unveils how Georgia's heartbeat law complicated medical decisions. Ann Flaherty follows up with insights on U.S. strategy and potential military action concerning Venezuela, while Mike Dabuski analyzes policy changes regarding NVIDIA chip exports to China, emphasizing their significance in the tech landscape. Tune in for a mix of emotion, policy, and technology!
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Family's Harrowing Decision Over Brain-Dead Mom
- April Newkirk described watching her daughter Adriana declared brain-dead and kept on life support while pregnant for 16 weeks.
- The family says doctors treated the fetus as the patient and offered them no real choice under Georgia law.
Law's Gaps Spark Medical Confusion
- Georgia's law bans abortion as early as six weeks and treats fetuses as persons, but it doesn't clearly address brain-dead pregnant patients.
- That legal ambiguity created confusion for doctors, families, and advocates about permissible medical actions.
Birth And Aftermath For Baby Chance
- Adriana was kept on life support until an emergency C-section at 26 weeks produced baby Chance, who had underdeveloped lungs.
- Adriana was taken off ventilation four days after delivery and Chance remained hospitalized months later.