Virginia’s Ultrasound Bill Violates Medical Association’s Guidelines

[cal04]

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed an unnecessary bill into law yesterday that will require women to receive an ultrasound before having an abortion. The legislature passed an amended version that did not require invasive transvaginal ultrasounds, but it still seems the new law runs counter to guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). As Forbes’ Rick Ungar points out, “According to the ACOG, ultrasonography in pregnancy should be performed only when there is a valid medical indication.” But the Virginia law says an ultrasound is necessary to determine the fetus’ gestational age — not a listed reason from ACOG. Instead of leaving it up to a doctor, the state of Virginia’s new law now dictates what is a required procedure.

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/03/09/441815/virginias-ultrasound-bill-violates-medical-associations-guidelines/


Virginia's Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Law Medically Unsound-Violates Guidelines of American College Of Obstetricians And Gynecologists
http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/03/08/virginias-pre-abortion-ultrasound-law-medically-unsound-violates-guidelines-of-american-college-of-obstetricians-and-gynecologists/2/

[elleng]

1. Been waiting to see something like this.

Thanks, cal.

[montanacowboy]

2. So when are all the doctors going to stand up

and tell these peckerheads in the legislatures to shut the fuck up and keep out of their business? huh? when will they take action? They sure have been silent on this -

I am calling on all doctors to stop being dictated to by idiots without medical licenses

[CrispyQ]

3. +1 -nt

[cbayer]

4. They have and they will continue to.

The AMA has very clear policy on abortion related issues. It is a decision between a woman and her doctor. Period.

"Senator Ralph Northam, a Democrat and the only physician in the Senate, called it “a tremendous assault on women’s health care and a tremendous insult to physicians.”

"The Pennsylvania legislature is considering a law with some of the country’s strongest provisions. It would require vaginal probes in many cases, display of the scanning screen to the patient and a printout of the image for inclusion in the patient’s medical records. It would also impose a 24-hour waiting period between ultrasound and abortion that critics say would be a burden for some women.

Labeled the Women’s Right to Know Act, the bill is opposed by the Pennsylvania Medical Society and other medical groups. But it has been approved by a House committee and its sponsors hope for passage this year. "

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/29/us/virginia-senate-passes-revised-ultrasound-bill.html?pagewanted=all

[Ilsa]

6. A group of OB/GYNs testified to a legislature,

Virginia's, I believe. It had no effect on the idiots running the show. They want what they want and to he'll with common sense or the danger of practicing medicine without a license.

[Doctor_J]

10. Most doctors are Limbeciles

and the ones who aren't are afraid to speak against Hate Radio. so don't hold your breath

[lastlib]

5. Can the legislators who voted for this be charged

with practicing medicine without a license?

And the governor who signed it?

[They_Live]

7. Maybe we can use this

tactic in Texas. I'm sure the bill is written differently here, though.

[etherealtruth]

8. I have expected this

No competent physician is going to allow politicians to dictate medical practice ... based on political ideology.

[Doctor_J]

9. What I can't believe

is that anyone thought 50 people standing around was going to stop this. (Last week some protestors congratulated themselves on "delaying" the bill). Of all of liberals' faults, the deadliest is believing we're making progress