The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 is a step in the wrong direction for women's rights.

The bill, which prohibits partial-birth abortions, was approved by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday in a 64-34 vote. While the bill allows partial-birth abortion procedures for mothers in risk of dying from the pregnancy, it does not allow for cases in which the mother is faced with significant, but not necessarily fatal, health risks.

A bill such as this is a threat to women's rights. This choice should be made in the privacy of a woman and her qualified physician, not in a public debate by legislators on Capitol Hill.

President Bush is next in line to review the bill, which he said he is eager to sign. When he inevitably puts his stamp of approval on it, the bill will become federal law.

Once it becomes law, the issue should be challenged in courts as soon as possible.

It is good to see neither of Michigan's senators were swayed by his or her peers and cast dissenting votes during the decision. They were able to keep their beliefs in tact and stand up for the rights of women. The legislators supporting the bill, unfortunately also from Michigan, argued it would squelch the "most gruesome form of abortion."

But of the 29,231 abortions performed in 2002 in Michigan, only about nine cases involved partial-birth techniques. The number of partial-birth abortions is low for a reason. Many women who want an abortion have it done early.

Those that need an abortion late into the pregnancy usually do so because of health complications.

A woman facing severe health risks should be able to have the option of having an abortion, even if those risks are not fatal. Many doctors believe partial-birth procedures are much safer than regular abortive techniques when performed late in the pregnancy.

In the end, the choice should be between the woman and her doctor. Most legislators and presidents don't have medical degrees. Doctors do for a reason.