St. Rep. Corte wants to force pregnant women to watch and hear

[Ilsa]

ultrasounds of fetus before having abortion.

http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/021709kvue-Abortion-Ultrasound-eh.29fb5e5f.html

snip

State representative Frank Corte from San Antonio has proposed a bill that would require a doctor to perform an ultrasound at least two hours before a woman has an abortion. The bill reads that the image must be shown to the pregnant woman, and if a heartbeat if present, it must be made audible for the woman to hear.

Despite how the bill currently reads, Corte told KENS 5 he doesn't want it to be mandatory that a woman has an ultrasound. He just wants it mandatory that a doctor offers an ultrasound.

But, because of how the bill currently reads, Planned Parenthood strongly opposes it. The vice-president of community affairs Yvonne Jutirrez said, "Forcing a woman to view an image or listen to a heartbeat is none other than an opportunity to shame or hurt a woman who has already made a personal and difficult decision." Currently, Planned Parenthood does require a doctor to perform an ultrasound before an abortion to determine how far along the woman is. It does not require the woman to view the image. Jutirrez says about one-third of women choose to view the image. She's unclear how many, if any, were deterred from having an abortion afterward.

A bill similar to this passed the Senate in 2007, but it stalled in the House. Just a few weeks ago, Governor Rick Perry urged lawmakers to adopt this bill in this session. Currently, it is in committee.

snip

[jobycom]

1. Another man talking down to women about their own decisions.

"You girls ain't smart enough to know what you's doing, so ah'm gonna help y'all understand it better, cause ah'm a man, and y'all is just girls."

[Ilsa]

4. It gets worse. The bill also has language that the woman has to be

notified of "the possibility of increased risk of breast cancer following an induced abortion and the natural protective effect of a completed pregnancy in avoiding breast cancer;" which is total bullshit.

[jobycom]

9. That's deceptive.

I've seen studies that suggest nursing may reduce breast cancer risk, but nothing which suggests not having a child or having an abortion increases it. If that were a genuine issue, they wouldn't have to pass a law requiring a doctor to reveal this, the doctor would already be obligated to.

[Ilsa]

10. They've been trying to work this in for along time. It cannot be proven

at this time, but they keep trying to insinuate that abortion causes breast cancer.

[WolverineDG]

2. And who pays for it?

Not that I'm likely to have an abortion anytime soon, but if some asshat wants ME to pay for some procedure HE wants me to have, he's fucked in the head. And I'm being polite when I say that.

dg

[sonias]

3. That is the several hundred thousand a year question

I've seen some estimates that the cost of a private ultrasound is about $400 and that was late 90s costs. Probably even higher today.

I don't know the estimates of the number of abortions performed in Texas but making a requirement that an ultra sound be conducted has to be paid by someone. And I agree with you dg, if the state is going to mandate the procedure then they have to come up with a way to pay for it. This should not add additional expense to the woman/family who is making this difficult decision already.

I doubt the state is going to put up any money to pay for these procedures.

I'm hoping this bill is DOA.

Sonia

[Ilsa]

7. Looks like the doctor's office has to pay for it. They is no mention of

reimbursement in the bill, just requiring this under the HEalth and Safety Code.

[sonias]

12. Doctors would not do this for free -

Somebody has got to pay. Either they bill the state or they bill the patient/insurance company.

No way they would do these for free. They'll be the first screaming at the Lege if this cost them money out of their pockets.


Sonia

[Ilsa]

6. Looks like the doctor has to pay for it. They is no mention of

reimbursement in the bill, just requiring this under the HEalth and Safety Code.

[sonias]

5. On a related note if anyone wants to help lobby in March

Join Planned Parenthood and special guest Planned Parenthood national President, Cecile Richards, for Lobby Day! Hundreds of Planned Parenthood supporters from across Texas will fill the state capitol to support preventative health care and medically-accurate education for Texas women and families. Registration and training are mandatory to participate; please see the list of training dates below. To register, please email simone.nichols @ ppaustin.org and be sure to indicate which training session you plan to attend. For more information, visit our website. www.ppaustin.org

Training Sessions
Join us at our administrative office (201 E. Ben White Blvd.) for Lobby Day training. We will cover all you need to know to be prepared to talk to your elected officials about why preventative health care and education are important to you. Refreshments will be provided. Please note that all three training sessions will cover the same materials; just RSVP for the session that is most convenient for you!

Thursday, March 5th, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 5th, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 7th, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TENTATIVE Schedule for Lobby Day, March 12 (final schedule to be announced in March)
10:30 a.m. Meet at Capitol; Check-In
11:00 a.m.- Noon Kick-off on steps of Capitol with Cecile Richards
Noon - 12:30 p.m. Lunch at the Capitol
12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Meet with Legislators and staff (exact times depend on appointments)
4:00 p.m. Closing Rally at Capitol

We hope you will join us!

Sincerely,
Sarah Wheat and the Staff at Planned Parenthood

:kick:


Sonia

[hobbit709]

8. State legislators should have to undergo an EEG before every session

and the results posted in a public place for all to see if there actually is any brainwave activity.

[sonias]

11. I fully support that idea

And I bet you we could get the Texas taxpayers to pass that one too! Heck I bet we could get some doctors to perform them pro bono!

:rofl:


Sonia