Virginia Governor McDonnell, Please Bend Over. Here’s An Amendment To The New Ultrasound Proposal That Ought Be Adopted . . . For Fairness’ Sake
Much media attention has been paid to Virginia House of Delegates David Englin’s February 13th proposed amendment to HB462, the abortive attempt by the Commonwealth to require ultrasound prior to abortions, including invasive transvaginal ultrasound. In the wake of the criticism, and hurriedly urged on by a backtracking Governor Bob McDonnell, a new bill is being considered in the Assembly. It nearly immediately passed the House of Delegates yesterday afternoon, sans some of the more offensive proposals, but it’s still a draconian measure.
But, speaking of draconian, you ain’t heard nothing yet . . . On January 30th, the original HB462 was being considered in the Virginia Senate where, unlike the House of Delegates, a close vote was expected. Democratic Senator Janet Howell, in a move apparently designed to address fairness concerns and constitutional issues about due process, equal protection, and the like, proposed the following amendment to HB462, just, as I say, to even things up a bit.
SEN. HOWELL
1. Line 121, substitute, after line 120insert
Prior to prescribing medication for erectile dysfunction, a physician shall perform a digital rectal examination and a cardiac stress test.
Informed consent for these procedures shall be given at least 24 hours before the procedures are performed.
And note, unlike the provisions in HB462 related to ultrasound, Senator Howell provided a provision for informed consent, and imposed a “waiting period” of 24 hours on the doctor!
Yet, somehow, her amendment failed to get an up vote, but it was close, very, 19-21. And if that one had passed, well, no hopefully to be soon upstanding Commonwealth male would ever get invaded like that again for anything, even for states’ rights. . .
