Friday, April 13, 2007

S. 84 Ultrasound bill moves forward

Thursday morning (04.12.07) the Medical Affairs sub committee unanimously reported out an amended version of S. 84. The amendment contains aggressive language to inform patients of their right to have and view and ultrasound, but falls short of forcing patients to view the child in the womb. I’m confident this change will satisfy the concerns of the attorney general, and those calling for exceptions, yet the spirit of the legislation remains.

Strengthening the bill is a requirement for clinics to give patients a list of facilities that offer free ultrasounds. Serving with me on the sub-committee are: Sen. Linda Short (D-Chester), Sen. Mike Fair (R-Greenville), Sen. Brad Hutto (D- Orangeburg), & Sen. Danny Verdin (R- Laurens).

Sen. Chip Camsen (R-Charleston) weighed in on S. 84 in an editorial by the Post & Courier: "ultrasound technology has probably done more to persuade people on the issue of abortion than any number of metaphysical dissertations. I don't want to take our most powerful tool and make it the opponents' most powerful tool," he said.

For those of us that don't use big words like my superior good friend from Mt. Pleasant click here: metaphysical & dissertations

The full Medical Affairs Committee will consider S. 84 next week. I’ll be in touch!