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WTF, Vaginal Ultrasound Bills?

Posted by on Feb 27, 2012 in Genital Warfare | 4 comments

Our friends over at The Maddow Blog present a run down of the latest violation of a women’s right to choose: Vaginal ultrasound bills. Some states now require women to undergo an invasive ultrasound procedure before an abortion is performed. This can include being shown images of the fetus, and sometimes, audio of the heartbeat.

Virginia has been the center of media hype around the issue (they’ve already got a strike against them after that gay adoption business), with Texas and Pennsylvania passing similar laws. Alabama has also jumped on the bandwagon, apparently inspired by Virginia’s proposed legislation. They’ve included some regulations regarding who gets to weigh in on the decision, as well:

Any person upon whom an abortion has been performed without compliance with this act, the father of the unborn child who was the subject of the abortion, or the grandparent of an unborn child may maintain an action against the person who performed the abortion in knowing or reckless violation of this act for actual and punitive damages….

In every civil or criminal proceeding or action brought under this act, the court shall rule whether the anonymity of any female upon whom an abortion has been performed or attempted to be performed shall be preserved from public disclosure if she does not give her consent to such disclosure.

Can we please give ladies a break? Do you think healthcare providers should be legally allowed to place women seeking reproductive care in potentially shaming situations? Why is this still a debate? Let’s rant, rave, and write representatives.

(via The Maddow Blog)