Michigan House Approves Bill Requiring Health Professionals To Offer Ultrasound to Women Seeking Abortion

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 28 May 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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The Michigan House on Tuesday approved 69-37 a bill... (HB 4446) that would require health professionals to offer women seeking abortion an opportunity to see ultrasound images of their fetuses before undergoing the procedure, the AP/Lansing State Journal reports (AP/Lansing State Journal, 5/25). Under the measure, which is sponsored by state Rep. Dave Robertson (R), health professionals who provide abortion services would be required to perform ultrasounds on women seeking abortion before performing the procedure and offer the women a chance to see the live images and receive a print-out of the images. The measure also requires the state Department of Community Health to add to its informed consent Web site the names and contact information of clinics and health care providers who perform ultrasounds at no cost to the patient (HB 4446 text, 5/25). Robertson said he hopes that fewer women will choose to undergo abortion if they are able to see ultrasound images of their fetuses. Shelli Weisberg, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, said the legislation creates a barrier for women seeking abortion. The bill now goes to the state Senate (AP/Lansing State Journal, 5/25).

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