Inquirer Editorial: Don't need ultrasound law

Legislation in Pennsylvania that would require ultrasound exams is a blatant attempt to discourage women from having legal abortions.

The bill, proposed by Rep. Kathy Rapp (R., Warren), has 110 cosponsors and easily won committee passage last month. However, questions about similar legislation in Virginia have brought this train to a halt. A debate before the full House scheduled for next week has been postponed.

The so-called Women's Right to Know bill would require a woman to undergo an ultrasound imaging exam to determine the gestational age of the fetus before getting an abortion.

Ultrasounds are generally routine to confirm that a pregnancy is within the limits allowed for an abortion, and to determine the appropriate method. But the intent of this mandate is to use ultrasound images to persuade women not to have abortions. The mandate would amount to government intrusion into what should be a personal medical decision.

The proposed law understandably has the state's medical community concerned. The Pennsylvania Medical Society says the legislation seeks to intrude into decisions that are best made through private consultations between a doctor and patient.

If it's adopted, Pennsylvania would join 31 other states with some form of an ultrasound law. Planned Parenthood, calling the bill "demeaning and cruel," has started a petition drive to block it.

Virginia is considering a similar bill, but after Gov. Bob McDonnell objected, that legislation was amended to require only non-invasive ultrasounds, in which a wand is rubbed over a woman's midsection to produce an image.

House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) now says Pennsylvania's bill will not be voted on until the medical community's concerns are addressed. Even antiabortion supporters such as Rep. Marc Gergely (D., Allegheny) are calling the bill "a disturbing overreach of government."

Most reasonable people agree that too many abortions occur in this country. But hoping to scare women into not having an abortion by showing them an utrasound image of a fetus is no substitute for effective counseling, when it is appropriate.

Gov. Corbett has not publicly weighed in on the measure. He should let lawmakers know he won't sign legislation that unduly interferes with a woman's right to make the best decision for her in consultation with her physician and, it is hoped, with her family.