Chile’s Parliament debates a bill requiring women seeking abortions to be offered the chance to hear a fetal heartbeat before the procedure.
Newsroom (21/07/2026 Gaudium Press) Chile’s National Congress is debating a controversial proposal that would require healthcare providers to offer women seeking an abortion the opportunity to hear their unborn child’s heartbeat before the procedure is carried out. The initiative, known as “Listen to Her Heart,” has attracted support from prominent political and religious figures, including Cardinal Fernando Chomali, Archbishop of Santiago.
The bill has been introduced by lawmakers from the Republican Party, led by President José Antonio Kast, along with members of the National Libertarian Party and National Renewal. Supporters argue that the measure would strengthen informed consent by ensuring women receive what they describe as complete and understandable information before making a final decision regarding an abortion.
Proposed Changes to the Health Code
The legislation seeks to amend Chile’s Health Code by establishing an obligation for medical personnel to inform women requesting an abortion about the possibility of listening to the fetal heartbeat, provided one is detectable.
According to the proposal’s sponsors, the measure is intended to ensure that patients fully understand the nature of the procedure they are authorizing. Lawmakers backing the bill have framed the issue as one of transparency rather than ideology.
“There can be nothing less ideological than a baby’s heartbeat and a law that allows its heartbeat to be heard before its death,” the proponents argue.
A particularly debated element of the proposal concerns situations in which a woman declines the listening session. Under the initiative, healthcare personnel could choose not to proceed with the abortion and would document the refusal in the patient’s medical record. Supporters note that similar legislation exists in at least five U.S. states: Kentucky, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, and Mississippi.
Cardinal Chomali Voices Support
Cardinal Fernando Chomali publicly endorsed the initiative through a message posted on the social media platform X.
“Hearing the heartbeat of a child in the womb must be one of the most moving moments in a mother’s life,” the Archbishop of Santiago wrote.
He also emphasized the importance of support for women experiencing difficult pregnancies, stating that he hopes every woman in such circumstances can rely on people who will accompany, listen to, and support her.
Concluding his remarks, Chomali reiterated his pro-life position, saying, “All life always deserves to be welcomed. Love is stronger!”
Abortion Law in Chile
Chile legalized abortion in 2017 under three specific circumstances: when a pregnancy involves fetal inviability, when there is a risk to the mother’s life, and in cases of rape. The law came into practical effect in 2018.
Statistics presented last year by former Health Minister Ximena Aguilera indicate that between 2018 and 2025, 6,249 women sought medical attention under one of the three legally recognized grounds for abortion. According to the figures, 85% chose to terminate their pregnancies, while 15% decided to continue them.
These numbers have become part of the broader national discussion over abortion policy, with supporters and opponents of the procedure offering contrasting interpretations of the data.
Political and Social Debate
The proposal emerges within a political environment where abortion remains a deeply contested issue. President José Antonio Kast has publicly identified as pro-life, a position shared by his Minister of Women, Judith Marín.
As expected, the bill has generated strong reactions from different sectors of society. Supporters present it as a measure designed to enhance informed decision-making and encourage reflection before an abortion. Critics, however, argue that it could create additional barriers for women seeking a legal medical procedure and view it as part of a broader effort to influence reproductive choices.
The debate over the “Listen to Her Heart” bill is likely to continue as lawmakers weigh questions of informed consent, medical practice, and reproductive rights within Chile’s existing legal framework. The outcome could become a significant development in the country’s ongoing discussion over abortion and maternal healthcare policy.
- Raju Hasmukhw ith files from Infocatholica
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