to ensure that women and girls seeking abortions are allowed to see
ultrasound images or hear their fetus’ heartbeat before the
procedure.
Kansas the 13th state to require that abortion providers offer
patients a chance to see ultrasound images, according to national
groups.
has vetoed other legislation sought by anti-abortion groups, but
she has not specifically criticized ultrasound
requirements.
concluded that this year’s bill had no constitutional flaws, didn’t
jeopardize patient privacy and did not block access to health
services.
confirmation as President Barack Obama’s nominee as federal
secretary of health and human services. Anti-abortion groups in
Washington have criticized her appointment, and Kansas abortion
foes had predicted she would sign the bill to appear more
moderate.
politicians to move beyond such divisive legislative debates and
tackle issues such as improving health care and controlling health
care costs.
those priorities which unite the people of Kansas,” she
said.
doctors to obtain a patient’s informed consent before performing an
abortion. The measure says abortion providers who use ultrasound or
monitor fetal heartbeats must give their patients access to the
images or sound at least 30 minutes before an
abortion.
women have enough information to make decisions about abortion and
protect their health.
executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri,
said its Overland Park clinic already allows women to see
ultrasound images.
the clinic rarely monitors fetal heartbeats, he
said.
veto the bill, and we’re disappointed that she did not,” Brownlie
said. “We give people complete information so they can make their
own decisions.”
about free counseling for medically difficult pregnancies or
services available if a baby would be stillborn or die shortly
after birth.
notice that says it is illegal for anyone, regardless of their
relationship, to try to force a woman or girl to have an abortion.
The notice also would have to say: “You have the right to change
your mind at any time prior to the actual
abortion.”
restrictions on abortion providers or regulations on clinics in
2003, 2005 and 2008.
A 2005 law requires doctors to preserve fetal tissue after
performing abortions on girls under 14, to help authorities
investigate alleged rapes. In 2007, she signed a bill allowing
prosecutors to charge someone with murder or other crimes for
harming a fetus.
with more than the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to
override a veto. Mary Kay Culp, executive director of the
anti-abortion group Kansans for Life, said that fact was
significant.
she’s been forced to or when there have been veto proof
majorities,” Culp said. “She didn’t sign this bill for women. She
signed this bill for one woman — and that’s
sad.”
238.
