Actions Taken On Women's Health-Related Issues In Ga., Maine, Md., N.H., Okla., Va.

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Stem Cell Research;  Sexual Health / STDs;  Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 26 Feb 2008 - 8:00 PST

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The following highlights recent state news about women's health-related issues.

• Georgia: A House subcommittee on Wednesday voted 4-3 to table a constitutional amendment (HR 536) that would create an "inviolable" right to life beginning at conception, the Macon Telegraph reports (Billips, Macon Telegraph, 2/21). The amendment sought to change the state constitution to state that "the word 'person' applies to all human beings, irrespective of age, race, sex, health, function or condition of dependency, including unborn children at every state of their biological development, including fertilization" (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 2/21). Supporters of the measure had hoped it would spark a court decision that overturns abortion rights upheld by the federal courts. Opponents of the measure said the amendment could potentially ban birth control methods that prevent a fertilized embryo from implanting in the uterus. They added that it could also have a "chilling effect" on infertility treatment, which could drive the practice out of the state, the Telegraph reports. Subcommittee Chair Ed Lindsey (R) said that he believes the amendment is a flawed way to challenge abortion rights (Macon Telegraph, 2/21).
  
  
• Maine: Certified professional midwives said Wednesday that they will continue to advocate for legislation that would create a licensing system despite a recent state Department of Professional and Financial Regulation report that said licensing is not necessary to protect the public health and safety, the Central Maine Morning Sentinel reports. The midwives support a licensing system because it would give them more legitimacy in the medical field and allow them to legally carry and administer a limited number of medicines and oxygen. Ellie Daniels -- who runs Morningstar Midwifery in Belfast, Maine -- said the certified professional midwives want legal permission to carry and administer drugs to help with bleeding and anesthetics when stitches are necessary. Gordon Smith of Maine Medical Association said it is expensive to create a licensing system for 22 people. Rep. Nancy Smith (D), who sponsored a licensing bill last year, said even though the state report found that a lack of a licensing system is not jeopardizing public safety and health, she is still inclined to support licensing. The legislation would have no effect on the more than 90 certified nurse-midwives who currently practice in the state (Cover, Central Maine Morning Sentinel, 2/21).
  
  
• Maryland: Supporters of human embryonic stem cell research on Thursday urged the Legislature to approve Gov. Martin O'Malley's (D) request for $23 million in funding for stem cell research, the Baltimore Sun reports. According to the Sun, supporters of the research are concerned the funding will be reduced in the state's next fiscal year, which begins in July, following recommendations from independent budget analysts who have said the state's stem cell research program is allocating money faster than it can be used. Supporters of the research have said suspending the program because of budgetary constraints would hurt its long-term potential. Linda Powers, chair of the Maryland State Stem Cell Research Commission, said that other states, such as California and New York, have approved higher amounts in stem cell research funding and that increased funding in Maryland is necessary to attract researchers. Nancy Paltell of the Maryland Catholic Conference said that funding should be cut, adding that she thinks recent advances that produced embryonic-like stem cells from adult skin cells eliminates the need for embryonic stem cell research. The state's stem cell commission has received 122 applications for more than $62 million in funding. According to the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, which distributes funding for the program, funds were held up last year while the program's regulations were being drafted. The agency said it has established guidelines to ensure the allocation is more efficient in future years (Smitherman, Baltimore Sun, 2/22).
  
  
• New Hampshire: The Senate on Tuesday debated two abortion-related measures, the Nashua Telegraph reports. One bill (SB 302) would require that minors seeking abortion notify their parents (Landrigan, Nashua Telegraph, 2/20). The measure would replace a 2003 law that was repealed last year after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that parental notification laws must include an exception for emergencies. The new bill includes a health exception, according to the Concord Monitor. The second bill (SB 527) would require girls ages 17 and younger seeking abortions to have a counseling session with a physician, nurse or other licensed professional before undergoing the procedure. Under the measure, all counseling sessions would have to include discussions about including parents in the decision and discussions of all of the minor's options. Sen. Kathleen Sgambati (D), who is sponsoring the bill, denied her measure was political cover for abortion rights advocates, saying, "It is not middle ground. It is not compromise. It is not a political solution. I believe it is an insurance policy for our young people." Planned Parenthood of Northern New England supports the bill, saying all of its clinics in the state already provide such counseling. The Catholic Diocese of Manchester opposes the measure because of concerns that health care workers would be placed in a role the diocese says is better suited for parents. NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Medical Society and the Feminist Health Centers in Concord and Portsmouth oppose the bill because they say it would legislate what happens in a doctor's office and add to staffing and litigation costs (Dorgan, Concord Monitor, 2/20). Grace LeClair of NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire said the bill also is not even-handed because it does not require counseling for pregnant minors who decide to continue the pregnancy. Gov. John Lynch (D) has said he would sign the counseling bill. According to the Telegraph, Connecticut is the only state with a similar counseling law (Nashua Telegraph, 2/20).
  
  
• Oklahoma: On Wednesday, the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee approved a measure (HB 2181) that would require doctors who prescribe the medication abortion drug mifepristone -- also known as RU-486 -- to follow recommendations created by the federal government, the Daily Oklahoman reports. Rep. Skye McNeil (R) claimed that the law is needed because some doctors in the state who are prescribing the medication are not telling women to return for a two week follow-up visit (McNutt, Daily Oklahoman, 2/21).
  
  
• Virginia: On Thursday, the Senate Education and Health Committee voted 10-5 to reject House-approved legislation (HB 188) that sought to delay until 2010 a requirement that girls entering the sixth grade be vaccinated against human papillomavirus, the AP/Newport News Daily Press reports (AP/Newport News Daily Press, 2/21). The HPV vaccine requirement was signed into law by Gov. Tim Kaine (D) last year. The law allows parents to opt out of the requirement (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 1/24).

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