Bill requiring ultrasound before abortion passed by Wisconsin lawmakers

The Wisconsin state Assembly has approved a Republican bill that would require women seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound of the fetus.

The measure would require the ultrasound and the technician to point out the fetus’ features and organs. The bill also would prohibit doctors from performing abortions unless he or she has admitting privileges in a hospital within 30 miles.

Femke Jenkins Photography

This was just one measure of several to reduce the growing number of abortions in the state. It an analysis by the Guttmacher Institute, one in three American women will have had an abortion by the time she reaches age 45.

Another measure in Wisconsin would prohibit the state health insurance from covering abortions as well as exempt religious organizations from providing insurance coverage for contraceptives.

A third bill would ban abortions based on the fetus’ sex.

Minority Democrats railed against the proposals for hours Thursday, accusing the GOP of trying to dictate women’s medical care and score points with their conservative base.

“I can’t believe you’re using women’s health as a tool for your next election,” said Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee.

Rep. Joan Ballweg, R-Markesan, insisted the GOP’s motives are sincere.

“We truly believe what we’re doing is protecting life,” she said. “It isn’t about politics.”

Republicans hold an overwhelming majority in the Assembly and easily passed each bill. The state Senate approved the ultrasound-admitting privileges bill on Wednesday; the Assembly vote sent the measure to Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who has said he will sign it into law.

The second bill would prohibit the use of public money to cover abortions in public employees’ health insurance plans. It also would exempt religious organizations from having to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives.

“This bill stops Wisconsin government from paying for elective abortions and respects religious belief in a way consistent with our state constitution,” the bill’s author, Rep. Andre Jacque, D-De Pere, told the body.

Democrats said the measure would force women who can’t afford contraceptives to go without.