Shankland: Abortion Restriction Bills are Anti-Woman Legislation
By Patrick Lynn
Assembly Republicans Monday pushed through a package of three bills making it tougher for women to get abortions in Wisconsin.
One bill would require women to get ultrasounds prior to having an abortion, while another would bar state health insurance from covering the procedure. Religious organizations would also exempt from covering insurance coverage for contraceptives.
Another bill would also ban selective abortions, a procedure where fetuses are aborted because of their gender.
State Democrats objected to the proposals for several hours Thursday night, accusing Republicans of leveraging women’s health as a political tool.
In a statement released Thursday, Assemblywoman Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) called state Republicans “heartless” for approving the bills, adding, “This is particularly troubling at a time when Wisconsin ranks dead last in the nation in short-term job growth and 49th in economic outlook.”
“With 40% of households in the country having a woman as head of household, it is time for a recommitment to women,” she added. “Women have rights. Women have choice. Women have priorities, and we prioritize our health. It’s time our legislators to reflect that.”
A heavy dose of the debate focused on the pre-abortion ultrasound requirement, which would require a first trimester “trans-vaginal” ultrasound. Many female Assembly members called the requirement “cruel” and recounted personal experiences with difficult pregnancies and miscarriages to support their opposition to the bill, which would require the technician to point out the fetus’ visible organs and external features to the woman.
Governor Scott Walker has said he will sign the bills into law.