In case the rest of the world has any doubt that Arizona is full of gun-slinging, ignorant assholes, one look at the state legislature’s agenda should clear up any confusion.  Several anti-choice bills have been introduced at the legislature in the past few weeks, and they make the already draconion abortion restrictions in our state look like a cake walk compared to what is potentially coming down the pike.  Let me summarize the worst offenders in the bunch.

HB2416
HB2416 would introduce several new restrictions on abortion access, including:

• Expands the definition of abortion clinic from those that perform surgical abortion to also include those that dispense medications which induce abortion without surgery.
• Requires Arizona courts to appoint guardians ad litem for minors who are asking courts to waive the state parental consent requirement.
• The bill expands required components of informed consent to include mandatory ultrasound and “auscultation” (using a stethoscope to listen to fetal organs, including the heart).
  - Both components must be provided at least one hour before medication is administered or the surgical procedure is provided.
  - Must offer the patient to view the ultrasound and to hear the heartbeat, etc.
  - Must offer to provide a detailed explanation of what the ultrasound depicts.
  - Must offer the patient a print version of the ultrasound.
  - Patient must certify in writing that the ultrasound and auscultation were offered, and whether she accepted or declined the offer.
• Bans use of “telemedicine.”

There are so many problems with this bill it’s hard to know where to start the tirade. For starters, how many pills are considered a form of surgery? Can you imagine if a doctor had to have admitting rights at a hospital if they wanted to prescribe Viagra? The men of this state would be rioting in the streets! What if they needed to have admitting rights to prescribe allergy medicine, or insulin? I think you get my drift. Taking a pill is not the same as having surgery. It’s a total no brainer. [Read more...]