Thursday, January 26, 2006

You May Still Have An Abortion, But . . .

It's not the outright ban on abortions Rep. Troy Woodruff sought earlier this session, but HB 1172 will impose new regulations on women who seek to terminate a pregnancy--the kind that are intended to give a pregnant woman pause before she makes that final decision.

To ensure that she gives her informed consent to the physican performing the procedure, she will be told that the fetus may feel pain, that an anasthetic or other pain medication may be provided during an abortion involving a fetus with a probable gestation age of at least 20 weeks, and that insurance may or may not cover the service.

But the House Public Policy and Veterans Affairs Committee decided that wasn't enough so it further amended HB 1172. A pregnant woman seeking an abortion will also have to be told in writing at least 18 hours before the procedure that adoption alternatives are available, and that the adoptive parents may legally pay the costs of prenatal care, childbirth and neonatal care. She must also be told that there are physical risks to the woman in having an abortion, both during the abortion procedure and after.

Oh, and once last thing--human life begins when a human ovum is fertilized by a human sperm--so says the Indiana General Assembly.

The bill passed out of committee on an 8-3 vote, with 2 Democrats joining 6 Republicans in supporting the bill.

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