Ultrasound Bill Clears House Committee
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
By: Lynn Hatter, Florida Public Radio

March 23, 2011 | WMFE - A bill requiring that all women seeking abortions receive ultrasound scans has cleared a state House committee and appears to be on a fast-track toward passage by the Legislature.

Women seeking abortions in Florida are already required to receive ultrasounds for second and third trimester pregnancies.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Elizabeth Porter of Lake City, would extend the requirement to the first trimester as well.

Supporters say being required to see an ultrasound image of the fetus would allow a woman to make a fully informed choice.
But opponents, such as Stephanie Kunkel, executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, said the procedure is unnecessary and invasive.
"Doctors already perform all medically necessary procedures.” Kunkel said. “This bill would force physicians to perform ultrasounds even when it isn’t medically necessary or goes against the professional judgment of the physician.”
Planned Parenthood and other opponents say state government shouldn’t dictate what goes on between a doctor and a patient.

Supporters of the measure include Republican Representative Ronald Renuart who is also a physician from Ponte Vedra Beach.
Renuart said ultrasound scans should be part of the standard routine before any medical procedure.
The House bill  is a rewrite of a similar measure that was passed by the Legislature last year but was vetoed by then-Governor Charlie Crist.

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