Kansas Gov. Sebelius Signs Bill Requiring Providers To Offer Ultrasounds Prior To Abortions

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 31 Mar 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D), President Obama's nominee for HHS secretary, on Friday signed a bill (S.B. 238) that requires abortion providers to offer women seeking abortions the option of viewing an ultrasound and listening to a fetal heartbeat monitor, the AP/Los Angeles Times reports. The bill requires that the ultrasound and audio be offered to women at least 30 minutes before abortion procedures (AP/Los Angeles Times, 3/28). The law does not require women to view the images or listen to the audio. In addition, the law requires the state to make and distribute pamphlets and a video about fetal development and abortion, and it mandates that clinics post signs informing patients that coerced abortions are illegal (Klepper, Kansas City Star, 3/27). The law will take effect July 1. According to the AP/Times, it amends a state law requiring physicians to obtain a patient's informed consent prior to performing an abortion.

Sebelius in the past has vetoed antiabortion-rights legislation. Beth Martino, a spokesperson for Sebelius, said the governor signed the bill because it included no constitutional flaws and did not jeopardize patient privacy or block access to health services (AP/Los Angeles Times, 3/28). By signing the bill, Sebelius -- who is expected to begin U.S. Senate confirmation hearings on Tuesday -- "steered clear of one final showdown with anti-abortion lawmakers as she exits Kansas politics," the Star reports.

According to the Star, abortion providers who testified against the law argued that ultrasounds and fetal heartbeat monitors are already offered to women seeking abortions and that imposing mandates was an attempt to erode abortion rights by putting new restrictions on clinics. Holly Weatherford, a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, said the group was "hoping for a veto" but "will continue to provide our services and comply with this new law." Supporters of the law said it provides women with additional information prior to choosing an abortion. Kansas state Rep. Lance Kinzer (R), a leading advocate for the legislation, said the law is about "making sure women have access to full and accurate information before making the decision to get an abortion." Kinzer said that Sebelius' decision to sign the bill "really was a good-faith effort to try to reach out to the middle on this issue" (Kansas City Star, 3/27).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

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