Michigan Republicans Introduce Bill Mandating Transvaginal Ultrasound Before An Abortion

[DonViejo]

SAHIL KAPUR FEBRUARY 6, 2013, 4:18 PM

Michigan Republicans have introduced a bill requiring all women to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound before obtaining an abortion, a move that rekindles last year’s firestorm when other GOP-led states were considering similar measures.

The legislation introduced Tuesday in the state House ensures the “performance of a diagnostic ultrasound examination of the fetus at least two hours before an abortion is performed” and requires her to sign a consent form prior to the abortion. The bill was introduced by state Rep. Joel Johnson (R) and cosponsored by 22 fellow lawmakers.

Johnson was not available for comment Wednesday, but his legislative aide, Ben Frederick, confirmed to TPM that, while the legislation does not specifically mention transvaginal ultrasounds, the bill aims to require women to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound prior to receiving an abortion.

Katie Carey, a spokeswoman for Michigan’s House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel, categorically said the bill would mandate transvaginal ultrasounds for women before an abortion.

-snip-

more:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/02/michigan-republicans-introduce-bill-mandating-transvaginal-ultrasound-before-abortion.php

[FarPoint]

1. These republicans and teabaggers...ohhhh I am pisst.

They all need to stay out of our Vajayjay's !

[atreides1]

2. You know what

I am so sick and tired of these perverted fucks covering up their twisted sexual fantasies by making laws that demean women and forcing them to undergo procedures that are not needed.

Horsewhipping is to good for this assbag and anyone that supports this procedure or any other just to satisfy their sexually repressed lives!

[NightOwwl]

3. This is sexual assault.

It is rape with a foreign object.

They cannot be allowed to pass this.

[Freddie]

4. Dildo-cam

Is the real name for the device.
More harassment, just like waiting periods and the rest of it. Just so very sick of it.

[Third Doctor]

5. They must really want

to lose their majorites plus the govenorship don't they? Michigan should never have let the GOP win control of their local congress. Let's see if we can fix this in 2014.

[Blue Idaho]

6. Is this part of the "new" republican party I keep hearing so much about?

Same shit, different day.

[Tx4obama]

7. Another article with an additional image on the link below

Michigan GOP Would Force Women To Undergo Invasive Ultrasounds Before Getting An Abortion

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/02/06/1552881/michigan-transvaginal-ultrasound/

[Tx4obama]

8. We need to keep this kicked up so everyone will see it. n/t

[NightOwwl]

9. I sent Johnson an email...check out his patronizing response

Me:
Requiring women to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound prior to receiving an abortion is rape with a foreign object. If you include this in your bill, YOU are guilty of sexual assault and in my book, no better than a rapist.

Him:
Hello [mynamehere],

The bill does not require an internal procedure. It just requires that the best equipment be used for the procedure so that it shows the picture of a baby rather than a blob.

Warm regards,

Joel Johnson
State Representative
97th District

My response:
I beg to differ as your bill states otherwise. The most technologically advanced equipment is a transvaginal probe. But thank you so much for your concern about unborn children. I wonder why that concern doesn't continue after they exit the womb? Could it be you and other men can't stand the thought that it is women, not men, who have control over life and death? That's pretty powerful, God-like even.

Tell me again why I need to see a picture in the first place?

The truth is, if the tables were turned, men would never stand for this. You know it, I know it, we all know it. Maybe some day you'll admit it to yourself, maybe not.

It will be interesting to see how your party is doing 10 years from now, that is if it still exists.

House Bill 4187 (2013)
Health; abortion; performance of a diagnostic ultrasound examination on woman seeking an abortion; require, and require use of most technologically advanced equipment on site.

[Rider3]

12. Great post...

Did you ever receive another reply from this idiot?

[NightOwwl]

13. Thank you.

No, but I wasn't expecting one. I said what I wanted to say, and that was enough.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

10. Where the hell are doctors and medical professionals on all of these laws?

One would think that they might have something to say about politicians ordering all of these medically unnecessary procedures and interfering with their ability to practice medicine. I never have actually heard doctors have much voice whenever these kind of bills get hammered out by legislatures. Why is that? Do they support them? Do they oppose them? What about the Hippocratic Oath?

BTW I know it's probably a minor issue but what's the point of requiring a woman to sign a consent to allow the procedure if she technically can't refuse if she is seeking an abortion?

[NightOwwl]

15. Here's another scary thought.

What if the medical professional performing the procedure is also an extremist? In their view, the woman on the table is a murderer. Or maybe they just hate that other than their God, it is women who have power over life and death (which imo, is the driving force behind the GOP's attempts to control women.)

Think about it. In their eyes, this woman deserves to be punished. Who's to say they won't try to make it as painful as possible? Whose to say they won't 'accidentally' push too hard or 'accidentally' push in the wrong place.

We have to shut these people down - now and forever.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

16. What would really upset me- if I were a doctor

is being required by a bunch of politicians to give patients inaccurate and/or false medical/scientific information. I'm surprised that doctors aren't up in arms about those kind of laws too.

[Rider3]

11. From the party who wants less government intrusion

[frankenfeinstein499]

14. Only if you "qualify" to be unintruded upon...

Less government intrusion SPECIFICALLY so morally pure (or not) Christianist billionaire white males can rule, remember...
Any restrictions on women and their bodies, no matter how extreme, are compatible with that programme.
They'd have you all as Quiverfull Stepford Wives if they ever manage to fully destroy separation of church & state.

[area51]

17. How about

if we have a law mandating a trans-penis ultrasound for anyone stupid enough to put forward or vote for a bill like this.

Legitimate reason, the TPU will be used to see if their tiny brains can be found in their tiny, little ....