ABC27 WHTM Pa. bill would require ultrasounds before abortions

Pa. bill would require ultrasounds before abortions

A Pennsylvania lawmaker is sponsoring legislation that would require women seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound at least 24 hours before the procedure.

Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean) calls her measure, House Bill 1077, the Women's Right-to Know Act.

"This bill does not take away the right for her to make that decision," Rapp said. "It helps her to make a more informed decision."

The bill would require doctors to position the ultrasound screen so that women could see it, to listen for a heartbeat, and to provide the patient with pictures of the developing baby.

"I think that women deserve all of the facts, and the ultrasound provides them with important information before having an abortion," said Maria Gallagher, an education director for Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.

But some say the government is stepping in where it doesn't belong by trying to disguise anti-abortion legislation as a bill promoting quality medical care.

"It is malicious and demeaning for women, and it has absolutely no basis on good health care," said Sari Stevens, Executive Director at Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates.

Andy Hoover, legislative director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, agrees.

"This bill is certainly cruel to women," Hoover said. "It is essentially an attempt to shame them into not having an abortion."

The bill does not require the patient to look at the ultrasound or the pictures. Rapp said her bill would require medical facilities to provide information to women who may be too intimidated to ask questions.

"This is a decision, no matter what decision she makes, that will stay with a woman for the rest of her life," Rapp said. "It is my opinion that the woman deserves the facts and all the information about that unborn child before she makes that decision."