The Idaho Senate passed a bill today that requires an ultrasound before a woman can get an abortion. Senators spoke passionately for and against the measure. The bill requires a woman to get either an abdominal or trans-vaginal ultrasound before an abortion. Several senators said their vote would be a personal decision, a vote from the heart.
Sen. Shawn Keough (R-Sandpoint) said a woman and her doctor should make the decisions leading up to an abortion, not by the government. She wondered what happens in cases where the baby is dead inside the womb. “Do we further her pain by this mandate? Do you want to be in that room, saying you know, I’m sorry, that baby can’t possibly be born alive, it’s malformed," Keough said. "Why do we as individuals in this society, want to be in that room with that doctor and that patient saying, you have to have this procedure?”
Sen. Lee Heider (R-Twin Falls) painted a different scenario. He spoke about his three grandchildren, who were adopted by his son and daughter-in-law. “I don’t know what medical procedures transpired, I don’t know who was in the room, but I’m glad somewhere along the way, somebody helped these young ladies to determine that they wanted to carry their babies to term and allow them to be adopted, rather than aborted.”
Now the House will consider the bill. If it becomes law, Idaho will become the eighth state to require an ultrasound before an abortion. Idaho's Governor hasn't weighed in whether he'll sign the bill if it gets to his desk. But there’s already an online petition, asking him to veto the bill.
Copyright 2012 BSPR
