Ultrasound debate goes into details

By: Ray Reed | The News & Advance
Published: February 13, 2012

RICHMOND --

An intense debate, focused on pregnancies and the invasive nature of some ultrasound procedures, preceded a House of Delegates approval Monday of an abortion-related bill sponsored by Del. Kathy Byron, R-Campbell County.

The bill’s opponents said they held no illusions they could stop the bill, which would require women undergo an ultrasound, perhaps administered internally, before getting an abortion.

“I don’t think anyone really contemplated what getting a fetal ultrasound image in early pregnancy actually involves,” said Del. David Englin, D-Alexandria, in arguing the bill should require doctors to get the woman’s signed consent before performing a transvaginal ultrasound.

“Most of us think about the jelly-on-the-belly ultrasound,” Englin said, rather than a scope instrument used internally.

Byron said the amendment Englin proposed for her HB 462 would undo the state’s informed-consent law concerning abortions.

Englin’s change would go in the opposite direction of what Byron said her bill intends — to provide women and their doctors accurate information about the gestational age of a fetus.

Opponents said Byron's bill would make abortions more difficult, especially for working women.

Republicans voted down Englin's amendment by a party-line 64-34 margin.

Del. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, in opposing the bill, described situations where women losing a pregnancy would be asked by their doctor if they wanted to view an ultrasound image of their dead fetus.

Byron responded, “If you want to talk about invasive procedures and abortions, I have emotional stories just as anyone else does.”

Del. Scott Garrett, R-Lynchburg, defended Byron’s bill.

“I want to try to put a little bit of calming influence in, and let everybody take a deep breath,” Garrett began.

Doctors in different regions of Virginia may use different methods to evaluate gestational age, Garrett, a physician, said.

“It seems quite prudent to grant the medical professionals those tools that they deem to be in standard medical practice,” Garrett said in urging Byron’s bill be approved.

The House advanced the bill toward final passage, expected today.

Byron’s measure is nearly identical to a Senate-passed ultrasound bill, and Gov. Bob McDonnell has indicated he would sign the final version.