Nice. But it was only a matter of time.
Go read Tom Murse on how the “LOOK AT IT! LOOK AT IT!” anti-abortion crusade down in Old Virginny has come to Pennsylvania, courtesy – in part – of the Lancaster County delegation:
All seven Republican state House members from Lancaster County have signed onto a controversial bill that would require women seeking an abortion to undergo a mandatory ultrasound 24 hours before having the procedure. They are Reps. Ryan Aument of Landisville; John Bear of Lititz; Scott Boyd of West Lampeter Township; Tom Creighton of Rapho Township; Bryan Cutler of Peach Bottom; Gordon Denlinger of Narvon; and David Hickernell of West Donegal Township. …
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The legislation would also require a view screen of the ultrasound to be positioned within the woman’s field of vision, though she would not be required to look at it. “The doctor or technician performing the ultrasound would have to verify in writing whether the woman accepted or refused opportunities to view the image or listen to the fetal heartbeat when it’s present and detectable. That documentation would be placed in the woman’s permanent medical record,” notes Micek.
I love that – it’s going on your permanent record.
And what, pray tell, do we plan to do with this information down the line?
Perhaps we can use it against the woman at some point? Maybe we’ll deny entitlement benefits to someone who refuses to look at the ultrasound?
Come on boys – don’t you want to include an transvaginal procedure to further shame and punish the women?
We’re going all in on the wingnuttery. Will the last woman out of the GOP please turn off the lights and close the door?
Update: It gets even better. From the link Tom provided, to John Micek at the Allentown Morning Call:
Advocates for the bill, called the Women’s Right-to-Know Act, say they’re trying to provide women with important information before they decide to go through with an abortion.
Critics say the bill would require women, who already receive an ultrasound when they seek an abortion, to go through what would most likely be a second, medically unnecessary procedure.
A second, medically unnecessary ultrasound drives up medical costs.
Who pays? The bill states that the amount charged for an ultrasound test must be billed separately from the fee for an abortion. If a patient has insurance that would cover the cost of abortion, it may pay; more likely, we’re passing the cost of the ultrasound off onto the patient, making the whole thing more expensive.
Which is the idea, of course.
