Virginia Mandatory Ultrasound Bill Passes In State Senate

The Virginia Senate narrowly passed a bill on Tuesday by a vote of 21-19 that would require women to have an ultrasound procedure 24 hours prior to having an abortion.

The Senate passed a similar bill earlier this month that would have required women to undergo an invasive transvaginal ultrasound procedure. After that bill stirred up a firestorm of controversy, Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) helped House Republicans write and pass a revised bill that mandates the more common transabdominal procedure, even when it's not deemed medically necessary or the woman does not want to have it.

Senate Democrats charged that even though the controversial transvaginal procedure would not be mandated, the bill still constituted government overreach into women's personal medical decisions and the doctor-patient relationship.

"We have taken out the state required rape from the bill, but the way it is now is still an assault because it's an unwanted touching," Sen. Janet Howell (D) told HuffPost on Monday, "and the woman is being coerced to have that happen in order to exercise her constitutional right to an abortion."

Republicans, meanwhile, framed it as an informed consent issue, arguing that the bill would enable pregnant woman to discover the age of the developing fetus before deciding whether to terminate the pregnancy.

The bill now goes to McDonnell, who is expected to sign it into law.

"Virginia will have a strong women's right to know bill to provide the information necessary to make fully informed consent," he said of the bill at a Politico panel on Friday, "So I think it's the right decision."

This story is developing...

Comments

[Morrighanmtc]

05:25 PM on 03/01/2012

Has anyone yet sued any of the 20 states that require a person to submit to a medically unnecessary procedure that has known adverse long-term effects in order to secure perfectly legal medical services? Just wondering...

[emdrus]

02:52 PM on 03/01/2012

Where can I get a list of which sentors voted yaya and which ones nay on this bill?

[bakdoc1980]

11:31 AM on 03/01/2012

News Flash -- An addition was made to the recently passed Virginia Abortion Bill. From now on, before a woman can have an abortion the man responsible for the pregnancy will be required to have a full rectal examination or a urinary catheter insertion.

[missy4reai]

04:33 PM on 03/01/2012

Man! If only.............

[bakdoc1980]

11:25 AM on 03/01/2012

And the purpose of this ultrasound would be ..... to intimidate the woman . If anyone can tell me some medical purpose for the procedure, let me know.

[pat2 718]

07:49 PM on 03/02/2012

It's more than just intimidation and punishment -- they want to actually prevent the woman from getting the abortion, which they do by making her *pay for it*. So if she can't afford the ultrasound procedure, which isn't cheap, she can't get the abortion. And you can be sure these same legislators will make d****d sure that insurance won't cover it.

The upshot will be that only rich women will be able to get abortions. Poor women will be back to the rusty hanger and dying of sepsis or internal bleeding.

[DRouss3977]

08:53 AM on 03/01/2012

We're watching McDonnell's political career and VP goal implode when he signs this bill. The GOP/TP have overstayed their welcome in American political discourse.

[kag0507]

07:25 AM on 03/01/2012

this is total BS, how dare anyone tell a woman or man for that matter, that you MUST have an invasive procedure. A regular ultrasound would sufice as they have 3D ones now. This is almost or even considered rape, as its defintion is " "carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will." I say that this is against peoples will and its penetration. How dare ANYONE SAY THIS IS EVEN REMOTELY LEGAL. to all the anit abortion rights people, how about you start raising all of these kids, and remember, its not your job to judge anyone!! they will have to livo with thier own decisions. so start minding your own business

[Devorah Judith]

07:39 PM on 03/01/2012

Get a grip! Rape!!! Your world view is sad to say the least. You have no business approving of infanticide. The sanctity of human life is everyone's business. Your rhetoric is pathetic...albeit your lack of caps and punctuation ain't too swift. Wonder what that says about the pro-abortion crowd?

[Kindheart101]

01:04 AM on 03/01/2012

Future Bill to be proposed in the State of Virginia (Drafted by the Women of the State of Virginia)

To all men who care to infringe on a woman's RIGHTS concerning this LEGAL PROCEDURE, we, the Women of the Great State of Virginia, submit said Bill. When the day comes that you can (No longer fly a flag from your pole), Viagra will be made available to you, at your expense! After all, it's a pleasure, not a medical necessity that you experience a 5 second release that could lead to the fertilization of an egg! Therefore, if you want it, from this day forward, you will have to pay for it. We, the Women of Virginia, shall get birth control, of any kind we wish, free of charge, from any doctor of our choice. That way, the cost of pleasure, or possible fertilization, falls on the backs of those who want to control our bodies, and our preventive means are cost free.

Read that three times fast. If we submitted that bill, most of them would pass it instantly, reading no further than the word pleasure!

Shallow, small minds, and the necessity to feel superior. They should have to pay dues, to the cost of $18 a pill, for the benefit to be able to .......perform their duties. ROFLMAO

[missy4reai]

04:36 PM on 03/01/2012

Thank you for sharing. I'm with you 100%!!!!

[Devorah Judith]

07:42 PM on 03/01/2012

Hey folks! Nothing at all wrong with your Viagra proposal. Paying for pleasure takes all forms. No woman or man has any right whatsoever to take a human life. Birth control must come BEFORE conception.

[Kindheart101]

08:41 PM on 03/01/2012

And you have every right to your opinion Devorah. Fact is, It's legal.

[KAYLEE BURRIS]

12:32 AM on 03/01/2012

I have an idea,

all those who try and force women to have children,their names should be put on an adoption list,every time a child has to be put up for adoption,the first name on the list get the first child and so on,then their name goes to the bottom of the list,and then it starts all over after the last person on the list gets their child.

[Kindheart101]

12:39 AM on 03/01/2012

lol

[Devorah Judith]

07:46 PM on 03/01/2012

Once again another person is refusing to recognize that birth control comes BEFORE conception. Abortion is murder. Too late by then to be regretting a decision. Children are not a form of punishment and not a one of them begged to be put on this earth. Having sex is your decision and the outcome and consequences are your responsibility. Here's are the choices: Having a baby to give up for adoption; Having a baby and raising the child; Killing the baby and committing infanticide. There are no fancy names for the procedure. You need to see a dumpster full of baby pieces. Then maybe you will understand.

[Kindheart101]

08:57 PM on 03/01/2012

Devorah, again, that is your opinion. Abortion is legal. A woman can do with her body as she pleases. It is the law.

[DudeDad]

11:11 PM on 03/02/2012

Yes, Judith, you are just one of many GOPers who believe that life begins at conception....and ends at birth....

[tekemsu]

11:38 PM on 02/29/2012

Gawd. I would love to hear more from you ladies on this. Pleez. Is this going to be a serious voting booth issue for the Republican Party?

[Kindheart101]

11:50 PM on 02/29/2012

Only speaking for myself, What Republican Party?

[KAYLEE BURRIS]

10:51 PM on 02/29/2012

It's not just virginia pushing this just found an article of pennsylvania trying it also.
ladies take a look at this .:

http://planetwaves.net/pagetwo/fe-911-2/spring-is-here-and-the-transvaginal-probes-are-in-bloom/

http://www.philly.com/philly/health/20120229_Pa__House_proposes_preabortion_ultrasound.html

it's womens reproductive rights these people are attacking.

under the guise of informed consent.

[Kindheart101]

11:26 PM on 02/29/2012

I read it too. Ridicules!

[KAYLEE BURRIS]

09:46 PM on 03/01/2012

seriously

[cat09tails]

11:29 PM on 02/29/2012

Oh it has gone way beyond two states. 20 states now have laws that already passed requiring ultrasounds. May more states have this legislation in the works. This is of February 1st: http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/updates/index.html#ultrasound

[Kindheart101]

11:44 PM on 02/29/2012

I read an article very similar to that one. Nothing like passing a law, then adding to it at will. Next thing you know, we'll be told we can only have MALE children, to support more military ground forces for the wars they may want to provoke!

[Kindheart101]

11:48 PM on 02/29/2012

Or even better yet. Why not have intelligence testing done? If the parents are not of a high enough intelligence, mandatory sterilization! That would work.

[Candace Ritchie]

05:14 PM on 02/29/2012

"that mandates the more common transabdominal procedure, even when it's not deemed medically necessary or the woman does not want to have it."

I personally can't understand why anyone would "refuse" an ultrasound prior to having a vacuum hose shoved up their hoo-hoo. That's like blindfolding your surgeon and letting him operate anyway.

[Kindheart101]

05:27 PM on 02/29/2012

Because it's a bill of intimidation Candace. They could not block Abortion from being Legalized! So, this is a bill, submitted after the fact, to add to that law. If a doctor feels an ultrasound is necessary prior to the procedure, fine. To be told, by the government, before we can have a LEGAL PROCEDURE done, that we MUST submit to this procedure, is just flat out Wrong. They are doing nothing more than stroking their GOP constituents, and fellow delegates, searching for votes in an election year.

[Candace Ritchie]

04:06 PM on 03/01/2012

And what about the doctors who decide to herd women through their office like common cattle and don't feel like taking the time to make sure there are no complications prior to an abortion (surgical)? Ever known anyone who had to recover from something like that? I have. A simple ultrasound would have prevented it but because noone says that an ultrasound should be "routine", they get by with it and the woman pays the price. I don't want the government in our business either, but I don't want hack doctors to continue, either.

[Devorah Judith]

07:53 PM on 03/01/2012

Intimidation? Nope. Just requiring the pregnant woman to look at the baby she is thinking of killing. Unfortunately the government steps in when irresponsible adults fail to take responsibility for their own behavior. And just in case you've missed the news, the federal government is busy rationing care. You are barking up the wrong line of excuses. Your angry words do not befit a "kindheart".

[Mara Para]

05:33 PM on 02/29/2012

By describing an abortion as you do here, you prove my point: this ultrasound bill is really just a way to put road blocks in the way of women who want abortions. It really is just a political manuever to prevent a procedure you (and the Virginia GOP is) are opposed to. I believe this is about one group of people imposing their religious beliefs on others.

In America we women have a right to choose abortion. We all have a right to practice our religion, but we do not have a right to force it on others.

USA! USA! I will always be on the side of the Constitution and our laws.

[Candace Ritchie]

03:57 PM on 03/01/2012

This will probably sting a little because somehow you've convinced yourself that you know everything about me based on my comment. I'm not "pro-abortion" but I am pro-choice....only because I don't believe in babies having babies and we, as a society, have managed to scrub all moral, responsible, and decent behavior from our childrens' lives. We have convinced ourselves that, because "kids will be kids", we should make it as easy as possible for them to be sexually active.

I'm not sure whether I'm for this law or not. I have seen articles and comments that have contradicted each other. I'm not certain of all of the facts in this bill. However, if this bill manages to keep doctors from making horrible "mistakes" (like giving surgical abortions to a woman with uterine cysts/tumors or other uterine complications), I have to say that I would be all for it. I've seen women lose their ability to have children in the future because their doctor decided to "take a shortcut". And because apparently an ultrasound it's considered "routine" prior to an abortion, these doctors are not held responsible.

[manfrommars]

04:51 PM on 02/29/2012

You wonderful wonderful Virginia men! You are so sweet! Such gentlemen

[realwoman8]

09:50 PM on 02/29/2012

Yeah, when is someone going to stand up and make the men accountable for getting girls pregnant? Why do these male politicians act as if women are out there getting pregnant by themselves? Let's have mandatory jail time, forced labor, or mandatory payroll deductions for me who get women pregnant outside of wedlock, and we'll see how fast that abortion rate drops. #1 cause of abortion: men who walk away from their responsibilities.

[missy4reai]

04:40 PM on 03/01/2012

So very well said and so very true. Let's put the responsibility of pregnancy on the men or at least force them to be at least 50% responsible anyway.

[KAYLEE BURRIS]

12:11 AM on 03/01/2012

ooo sarcasm lol

[Devorah Judith]

07:59 PM on 03/01/2012

Not sarcasm. Just right reasoning. Unless you plan to resort to the ai method you will need a man to do the job. Two people are required no matter how conception is accomplished. For you to even consider that men are NOT 50% responsible is ludicrous.

[Wrongway62]

04:46 PM on 02/29/2012

Better plan, keep your Johnson's in your pants and there is no need for your legislation.

[Devorah Judith]

07:59 PM on 03/01/2012

Truer words were never spoke.

[Wrongway62]

04:15 PM on 03/02/2012

You may have missed the sarcasm of the moment, I'm opposed to the ultrasound bill and think that the men pushing it should think with something other than their joy stick. It is obvious that logic has nothing to do with their governance.

[tmerrimoxie]

03:45 PM on 02/29/2012

Heck as longs as were going this far with women; let's mandate vasectomies for all males who leave their wife/girlfriend and fail to pony up to the responsibility of raising the child. I am not just talking about child support either, I'm talking about going to the childs school play, baseball game, taking them camping and fishing the whole parental responsibility.

[Kindheart101]

03:56 PM on 02/29/2012

lol............great points! faved

[KMoore4318]

04:07 PM on 02/29/2012

Better yet, Just add the birth control to the water supply; Do not provide the antidote unless two people can prove they are ready willing and able to be parents. You solve the unwanted child issue, the abortion issue, the church mandate issue; you protect children, and prevent people from using children to game welfare. We make people take a test to drive a car, but will let anyone have a child.

[Kindheart101]

04:57 PM on 02/29/2012

The water supply theory is actually a good idea! lol

Already having two children, and my husband refusing to have a vasectomy, I turned to birth control pills. I took them every day, and wound up pregnant, because I am diabetic, (since the age of 5) and the low dose did not work. This was 35 years ago, when abortion was available from family doctors, clinics and hospitals. My husband expressed that he really didn't want any more children. Not that he was anything but a wonderful, loving Father. Yet, being military, we moved constantly, and we were both happy with the two children we already had. I decided to carry the baby, and 2 days after his birth, he passed from fluid in his lungs. I then had an IUD, which left me pregnant again, 2 years later. I had that baby also, my daughter, that is now 31. I begged my husband to have the simple procedure of a vasectomy done, he would not. I spent 4 days in the hospital, having my tubes tied, and fighting an infection because of it.

The issue is RIGHTS! Not right or wrong, It's RIGHTS! To submit a bill to preempt a law, with conditions to that law, is WRONG!

[Josie728]

03:30 PM on 02/29/2012

Let's try something new:

We can fix this issue if we can blame George W Bush for it.

[manfrommars]

04:52 PM on 02/29/2012

what?

[Silverfern]

07:43 PM on 02/29/2012

Josie, the world blames Bush for 8 years of blunders and incompetence.

[Kindheart101]

08:12 PM on 02/29/2012

and rightfully so. lol