Friday, February 29, 2008

Florida Lawmakers Propose Sonogram before Abortion

In yet another instance of using diagnostic medical imaging to forward a political or religious agenda, two Florida lawmakers are proposing a bill that would require women to have an ultrasound before they could have an abortion in Florida.

The bill is sponsored by Senator Dan Webster (SB 2400) and Representative Trey Traviesa (HB 257). Under Webster's plan, doctors would be required to give a woman the option of seeing the ultrasound pictures unless she's the victim of rape, incest or human trafficking.
If the woman does not want to see the ultrasound, she would be required to sign a waiver.

It is their contention that this legislation would help reduce the number of abortions performed in Florida. According to Adrienne Kimmell, executive director of Florida Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, "This is legislating medicine, which isn't the job of legislators," and "It creates barriers and ties the hands of doctors to do what they think is in the best medical interests of patients."

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