A bill before the South Dakota Legislature requires doctors to provide additional information to women considering an abortion. The measure adds to the informed consent law.
If a woman chooses to have a medical abortion at 49 days or less, she takes a drug in a doctor’s office. Later, often at home, she takes another pill. House Bill 1157seeks to inform women that even after taking the first drug, it is possible to discontinue an abortion by not taking the second drug. The bill also requires that information about discontinuing a drug-induced abortion be available on the Department of Health website. Proponents, like Representative Leslie Heinemann, say it’s important for women to know they could still carry their baby to term.
“There are instances, we have found, that the pregnant mother has had second thoughts after taking the first drug,” Heinemann says. “The question again, before you is, should she be informed of what those consequences would be.”
Opponents say there have not been documented studies about this topic.
Mitch Richter is with Campaign for Healthy Families.
“This is just another example, we feel, of politicians and politics getting in the way of good healthcare between what should be between a physician and a female,” Richter says.
Members of the House State Affairs Committee passed the bill unanimously. It now heads to the House floor for further debate.