"Pro-choice" and "pro-life" advocates spoke at a public hearing Tuesday on a bill that requires doctors to be present when administering abortion-inducing drugs to women.
The bill, authored by state Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, and state Rep. Michelle Litjens, R-Oshkosh, aims to make "webcam abortions," where physicians prescribe the drug via teleconference, illegal. Currently, these types of abortions are not provided in Wisconsin.
Another provision of the legislation would require doctors to meet privately with patients in person before performing abortions so patients do not feel pressured.
Lazich said at Tuesday's hearing this measure will combat coercive abortions and post-abortion trauma by ensuring the consent a woman must give to have an abortion is "truly and completely voluntary."
Although state law requires doctors to obtain informed consent from patients before performing an abortion, Lazich said more needs to be done to prevent non-consensual abortions.
"This will help ensure women getting this life-altering procedure fully understand their rights and make their own decision," Lazich said.
National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws Pro-Choice Wisconsin Executive Director Lisa Subeck testified, saying the bill "imposes new and unnecessary barriers for women seeking safe and legal abortion care" since the law already requires voluntary and informed written consent from women seeking abortions, which she said properly prevents coercion.
Subeck also criticized restrictions on "telemedicine," saying the practice helps women gain greater access to abortion services.
"This bill is not about patient safety and only serves to diminish access to women's health care," Subeck said. "It is nothing more than a blatant attempt by its authors to chip away at women's access to their constitutionally protected right to choose safe and legal abortion when facing an unintended pregnancy."
The committee has not yet scheduled a vote on the bill.
