Think Again, As Politics and My Privates (Still) Lie On The Table

In a revision of the Right to Know and See Act that was passed several weeks ago in VA, women and others who protested the passing of this legislation may now be able to take some credit in the reconsideration of it being reintroduced to the House without the mandate on transvaginal ultrasounds. Though ultrasounds would still be required for any woman planning to abort a TU (transvaginal ultrasound) would not be mandatory. Ironically, a woman who is a survivor of rape or incest and reports it does not have to endure a TU, according to the amendment.

Gov. Bob Donnell of Virginia, an anti-abortion Republican, decided to amend this bill at the end of February following local uproar. Yet the bill, which has been passed back and forth between the House and the Senate, is still being tabled for final approval by the House and Gov. Donnell’s signature. If a sense of fervor (or otherwise) for Gov. Donnell doesn’t make you want to throw opinions out against southern politics  look at some of the things Mississippi and Pennsylvania are doing to influence the rights of a female to her own decision-making:

In Mississippi, the law may require facilities to use high-tech equipment that would require a corresponding transvaginal ultrasound, offer the woman an opportunity (term used lightly) to see the image of the fetus, hear the heartbeat and then be made to hear a description of the sonogram. The only exception is if the woman is a survivor of rape, incest or the fetus is medically compromised.

In many instances in Pennsylvania women would be made to have a transvaginal ultrasound, have the monitor face them during the procedure and then have a print out of the fetus placed in their medical chart. The state may also impose a 24 hour wait time between the ultrasound and the abortion.

The Right to Know and See Act is coined in a such way that one could view this as a recently earned right. Seemingly the act of inquiring and knowing feels like a separate entitlement from a woman’s right to choose. It’s interesting to me that no notice has been given to the pre-abortion counseling that exists in advance of an abortion procedure. Is this activity not accounted for in the chance for a woman to reconsider?

What are your reactions to this revision? Do you feel that the Right to Know and See Act would be an effective deterrent to abortion? What do you imagine are some of the repercussions for women who fail to file a criminal report of rape or incest prior to an abortion?  Chime in! We want to hear from you.

For the complete story read more at: Virginia Gov. Bob Mcdonnell Signs Virginia Ultrasound Bill