House Republicans Introduce Sonogram Measure

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Article Date: 29 Jan 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Walter Jones (R-N.C.) last week introduced an antiabortion rights bill (HR 5032) that would require physicians to perform ultrasounds on women before performing an abortion, the Raleigh News & Observer reports.

The measure, titled the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act, would require doctors to provide women with medical descriptions of the ultrasounds -- including the dimensions of the fetus and the presence of limbs or internal organs -- and offer women the opportunity to view the results. The requirement would not apply to women seeking abortions to save their own lives, the News & Observer reports. Under the bill, physicians could be fined up to $100,000 for a first offense of not following the legislation's provisions, and patients could file civil actions against doctors who perform the procedure without following the requirements (Teague et al., Raleigh News & Observer, 1/28).

Jones said, "Since coming to Congress, I have fought to protect the unborn and restore respect for the sanctity of human life," adding, "By empowering women with information and employing commonly available technology, the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act would help accomplish both of those goals" (Jones release, 1/25).

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