Right
to Life of Michigan, the state's largest prolife organization, rejected
the notion of advancing any legislation that would require a woman
pursuing an abortion to first receive a transvaginal ultrasound.
Right to Life of Michigan Legislative Director Ed Rivet said, "Some statements and media accounts have inaccurately represented that Michigan House Bill 4187 would require a transvaginal ultrasound prior to an abortion. Rep. Joel Johnson and Right to Life of Michigan never viewed that as the intent of the bill. Right to Life of Michigan has not and would not endorse such a policy."
The
legislation in question was first introduced more than four years ago
and was designed to address deceptive practices by some abortion
providers who were purposely using outdated technology to be sure women
saw grainy, nondescript images of their unborn children for informed
consent purposes. The abortionist would then use a much newer abdominal
ultrasound machine to perform the abortion. The Michigan legislation far
predates the debate that arose around legislation in Virginia in 2012
and has nothing to do with a transvaginal ultrasound requirement.
Right to Life of Michigan finds it regrettable that Rep. Johnson's intention to be sure women receive accurate information is being deliberately misused to serve an agenda of misinformation. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, ultrasounds are used in 86.6 percent of Michigan's abortions to confirm pregnancy.
Right
to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, "We will continue
in our efforts to advocate for and advance policies that serve the best
interests of the public including women and children preparing to be
born."
Numerous pregnancy centers in Michigan offer free ultrasounds for women considering abortion. If a woman would like to see a picture of her developing baby and hear his or her heartbeat, options are available. A listing is available through Right to Life of Michigan, www.RTL.org.
