Sponsored by: Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston)
Summary: SB 920 would have added a requirement that for every abortion sought by a woman, the physician must first perform an obstetric ultrasound and show the image to the patient, even if she did not want to view it.
PPNT Position: Opposed—Mandating that a woman view her ultrasound image before an abortion is not about health care; it is about shaming a woman for her choice to terminate her pregnancy. An ultrasound is a medical procedure, not a political tool, and doctors – not politicians - should decide when they are medically appropriate and necessary. Leading medical organizations, such as the American Medical Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Women's Association and the American Public Health Association oppose procedure-specific informed consent requirements that interfere with the doctor-patient relationship or compromise a physician's medical judgments as to what information or treatment is in the best interest of the patient.
Leading medical organizations, such as the American Medical Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Women's Association and the American Public Health Association oppose procedure-specific informed consent requirements that interfere with the doctor-patient relationship or compromise a physician's medical judgments as to what information or treatment is in the best interest of the patient.
Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Passed the full Senate.
Recorded Votes: 4/24/07 - Senate Health and Human Services Committee (Passed 8-1). PPNT opposed this bill. For (Anti-Choice) Sen. Nelson, Jane (R-Lewisville) Sen. Deuell, Bob (R-Greenville) Sen. Nichols, Robert (R-Jacksonville) Sen. West, Royce (D-Dallas) Hinojosa Amendment to SB 920 - Required Viewing of Ultrasound Before an Abortion 5/2/07 - Vote on Hinojosa Amendment. Offered by Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (D-McAllen) - would have subsidized the ultrasound procedures through the State of Texas. The vote on the amendment failed 13-17. PPNT did not take a position on this amendment. Against Amendment For Amendment Sen. Brimer, Kim (R-Fort Worth) Sen. Averitt, Kip (R-Waco) Sen. Duncan, Robert (R-Lubbock) Sen. West, Royce (D-Dallas) Sen. Fraser, Troy (R-Horseshoe Bay) Sen. Nichols, Robert (R-Jacksonville) Sen. Shapiro, Florence (R-Plano) Sen. Carona, John (R-Dallas) Sen. Eltife, Kevin (R-Tyler) Sen. Harris, Chris (R-Arlington) Sen. Ogden, Steve (R-Bryan) Sen. Deuell, Bob (R-Greenville) Sen. Estes, Craig (R-Wichita Falls) Sen. Nelson, Jane (R-Lewisville) 5/2/07 - Final Senate Passage of SB 920 (Passed 21-8). For (Anti-Choice) Against (Pro-Choice) Sen. Averitt, Kip (R-Waco) Sen. West, Royce (D-Dallas) Sen. Deuell, Bob (R-Greenville) Sen. Estes, Craig (R-Wichita Falls) Sen. Ogden, Steve (R-Bryan) Sen. Brimer, Kim (R-Fort Worth) Sen. Duncan, Robert (R-Lubbock) Sen. Fraser, Troy (R-Horseshoe Bay) Sen. Nelson, Jane (R-Lewisville) Sen. Carona, John (R-Dallas) Sen. Eltife, Kevin (R-Tyler) Sen. Harris, Chris (R-Arlington) Sen. Nichols, Robert (R-Jacksonville) Sen. Shapiro, Florence (R-Plano) 5/16/07 - House State Affairs Committee (Passed 5-2). For (Anti-Choice) Against (Pro-Choice) Rep. Cook, Byron (R-Corsicana) Rep. Veasey, Marc (D-Fort Worth) Rep. Flynn, Dan (R-Van) Rep. Parker, Tan (R-Flower Mound) Absent Rep. Paxton, Ken (R-McKinney)
Hinojosa Amendment to SB 920 - Required Viewing of Ultrasound Before an Abortion
5/2/07 - Vote on Hinojosa Amendment.
Offered by Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (D-McAllen) - would have subsidized the ultrasound procedures through the State of Texas. The vote on the amendment failed 13-17. PPNT did not take a position on this amendment.
5/2/07 - Final Senate Passage of SB 920 (Passed 21-8).
5/16/07 - House State Affairs Committee (Passed 5-2).
