Kelly Cassidy Proposes 'Viagra Amendment' To Ultrasound Mandate In Illinois

An Illinois lawmaker proposed an amendment to a state mandatory ultrasound bill that would require men to watch a graphic video about the side effects of Viagra before legally being able to receive a prescription for it.

The amendment's sponsor, State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D), said she wanted to add gender equity to the "Ultrasound Opportunity Act" proposed in the Illinois House, which would require women to undergo a sometimes invasive, medically unnecessary ultrasound procedure before having an abortion. Cassidy said her proposal should not be dismissed as a merely symbolic "protest amendment."

"If they're serious about us not being about to make our own health care decisions, then I'm just as serious about them not being able to make theirs," she told HuffPost on Monday.

Rep. Joseph Lyons (D), the sponsor of the ultrasound bill, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cassidy is one of a string of female lawmakers across the country who have introduced gender-equity amendments to anti-abortion bills. Wilmington, Del. City Councilwoman Loretta Walsh authored a resolution that declares "each 'egg person' and each 'sperm person' ... equal in the eyes of the government." Oklahoma Sen. Constance Johnson (D) proposed a "spilled semen" amendment to the state's fetal personhood bill that would declare it an act against unborn children for men to waste sperm. Va. Sen. Janet Howell (D), meanwhile, introduced an amendment to a mandatory ultrasound bill that would require men to have a rectal exam before being prescribed Viagra.

Cassidy's Viagra amendment is currently in the Rules Committee and has yet to be officially attached to the ultrasound bill, but she hopes that it will get its point across either way.

"Women are capable of handling their own medical and reproductive health decisions without interference from legislators," she said.

Comments

[thegreatdaveo]

10:50 AM on 03/12/2012

I guess what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[AlaskaGirl1]

02:29 PM on 03/09/2012

When will many men understand that if you mess with us in any way, but especially about OUR bodies, we will fight back and we will fight back HARD! These women senators are all #1 in my book! Thank you for fighting on behalf of all women, even the ones that don't know any better and are willing to be controlled by a man.

[Xoubuo]

08:30 PM on 03/08/2012

Sounds fair to me. Were so much at trying to control Women's Reproductive rights now I think the tables should be turned on the men and should make laws controlling Men's Reproductive rights such as controlling their right to Viagra or even a right to Male Contraceptives.

[phenixx]

11:05 PM on 03/06/2012

Thank you so much! These people have the the courage to truly represent everyone with these amendments. For the people who proposed the amendments and all those who support them, I sincerely thank you for giving everyone a voice.

[shades3]

09:24 PM on 03/06/2012

Sounds fair to me.

[Deucejack]

05:10 PM on 03/06/2012

Lunatic liberals are funny. They come up with utter nonsense which is supposed to somehow show the errors in rational thought. I am not clear as to what an ultrasound has to do with Viagra. I am quite clear however about the relationship between an ultrasound and the growing baby within the womb of an expecting mother.

So please, when you have a rational explanation for why an ultrasound should be attached to Viagra, let me know. Until then, save the absurdities for someone who is completely dense.
Oops... I guess you better evaluate your intelligence.

[applebutter]

08:03 PM on 03/06/2012

I don't know about your intelligence, but you are a genius when it comes to creating a straw man. Flog away!

[Celiene]

08:55 PM on 03/08/2012

I think you had better READ the article again. The Ultrasound is for the woman. The MAN would have to watch a video showing the painful treatment for Priapism. (What they need to do to get his woody down after 4 hours.) I guess you better evaluate YOUR intelligence.

[Mysticaltravlr]

01:21 PM on 03/06/2012

lol...insert an ultrasound tube up the ole "wingwang". How bad do you want your Viagra?

[Deucejack]

05:05 PM on 03/06/2012

I'm not clear what an ultrasound has to do with Viagra. I am quite clear however about the relationship between an ultrasound and the growing baby within the womb of an expecting mother.

[Celiene]

08:56 PM on 03/08/2012

GOOD LORD - watch the video. I get so tired of having to point out the obvious to people who don't READ the article or WATCH the video.

[Boomer946]

11:52 AM on 03/06/2012

This Rep. Lyons is from Chicago and is a Democrat. I find this to be unbelievable! What is this guy thinking? If he wants to be a Repug'ican he should declare his party change and have at it with the rest of the regressives in our state. We have a multi-billion dollar budget deficit and this guy can't think of anything better to put forth for a vote other than this ultrasound nonsense. I hope his constituents dump him at his next re-election bid.

[Celiene]

09:00 PM on 03/08/2012

The ONLY reason I'm not jumping all over him, is that his proposal gives the woman the OPTION to see an untrasound, not making it MANDATORY. But satill - WE CAN MAKE OUR OWN CHOICES! An Ultrasound is not going to make it easier to raise a baby you can't afford.

BUT - I also do think that adoptions should be more acceptable. But you wouldn't need any of that if CONTRACEPTION was available to any and all women. You certainly can't leave THAT up to men.

[Jessica Ham]

09:06 AM on 03/15/2012

Virgina has similar Legis. on the table that does have a mandatory transvaginal ultrasound before abortion services. This is some effd up stuff.

[LabRat]

11:29 AM on 03/06/2012

LOL

I'm just glad a law against 'spilling seed' would not apply to women.

[den1953]

10:59 AM on 03/06/2012

Hell why watch a film make them get a prostrate exam and make sure they are healthy enough to have sex?

[Killer1417]

10:41 AM on 03/06/2012

I believe a rectally-administered prostate ultrasound would be the appropriate requirement.

[den1953]

11:00 AM on 03/06/2012

F&F

[Guglielmo Deidzoeb]

10:20 AM on 03/06/2012

WTF, why did a Democrat sponsor this ultrasound bill??? "Rep. Joseph Lyons (D), the sponsor of the ultrasound bill, did not immediately respond to a request for comment."

Liberals and progressives, are you ready for a third party yet? Or are you going to keep watching Dems move to the right?

[MsLMPride]

10:02 AM on 03/06/2012

Along with the video, a small probe might be a good idea as well.

[bernikitty]

09:58 AM on 03/06/2012

i understand that her amendment is a "protest amendment", but to effectively highlight the absurdity of the " sperms and eggs are people too" bill she really needs to go all out:

-outlaw masturbation.
-those guilty of the crime of masturbation should be charged will capital murder.
-all men should wear government issued chastity belts that can only be removed when their wife is ovulating.
-have playboy and victoria secret catalogs declared weapons of mass distruction.

[Celiene]

09:04 PM on 03/08/2012

Historically, Chastity Belts were for women. But I like your idea! Oh, just have Chastity Belts for ALL.

[jonmag]

09:46 AM on 03/06/2012

it seem weird that you would cover viagra and not contraception, you will support death penalty but still be pro choice , you are anti immigration in the land of immigrants....Republicans are very weird people

[thegreatdaveo]

10:55 AM on 03/12/2012

I think you meant to say "you will support death penalty but still be pro life."