Democratic Committee Chair Sally Lyall
The Lancaster County Democratic Committee’s executive board has taken a unanimous stand against the controversial bill requiring women seeking an abortion to undergo a mandatory ultrasound 24 hours before having the procedure. In a prepared statement this afternoon, the committee called the legislation an “egregious intrusion into the personal privacy of citizens and a violation of the confidentiality of medical records guaranteed by HIPPA legislation.”
The board also criticized the county’s Republican House delegation for signing on to the so-called Women’s Right to Know Act, saying it is amazed that they, “men who so rigorously oppose government intrusion in the lives of men, would so blatantly condone the violation of women.”
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. A doctor or technician performing the ultrasound would verify in writing whether the woman accepted or refused opportunities to view the image or listen to the fetal heartbeat. That documentation would be placed in the woman’s permanent medical record, The Morning Call’s John Micek reported this week.
“All citizens have the right to seek or reject any medical procedure and certainly have an expectation of privacy and confidentiality in their consultations with their doctors,” the Democratic committee here wrote today. “We believe that statutes such as these serve only to belittle and subjugate women in an attempt to coerce them into accepting second class citizenship. We are outraged that such a bill would be introduced in Pennsylvania. A woman’s right to choose a course of medical treatment for any reason has been a long standing and valued standard.
“We take special note that all seven of the Republican legislators who serve Lancaster County have sponsored HB 1077. We are amazed that they, men who so rigorously oppose government intrusion in the lives of men, would so blatantly condone the violation of women.
“Therefore, in continuing support of civil and human rights, in defense of the sanctity of United States citizenship, and in solidarity with all women, the Executive Board of the LCDC stands unanimously opposed to HB 1077 and encourages all citizens to take action to defeat this atrocity.
“This action is taken in direct response to the following statement of Principles adopted by the LCDC: ’…The Bill of Rights protects us from government intrusion into our personal affairs. Democrats stand firm in defending the right of an individual to be safe from unwanted intrusions in the areas of life, liberty, property, and family. Citizens should be empowered with control over with whom their sensitive, personal information is shared.’”
