ABORTION: ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY S.B. 1283:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 1283 (as introduced 4-22-10)
Sponsor: Senator Wayne Kuipers
Committee: Judiciary
Date Completed: 6-15-10
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to require a physician or person assisting a physician to use the most technologically advanced equipment available at the location, when giving an abortion patient the opportunity to view an ultrasound image.
Under the Code, if a patient undergoes an ultrasound examination at any time before the performance of an abortion, or if a physician determines that ultrasound imaging will be used during the course of an abortion, the physician or qualified person assisting the physician must give the patient the opportunity to view or decline to view an active ultrasound image of the fetus and offer to give the patient a physical picture of the ultrasound image before performing the abortion.
Under the bill, in complying with this requirement, the physician or person assisting the physician would have to ensure that the most technologically advanced ultrasound equipment available at that location was used for the ultrasound examination, for viewing an active ultrasound image, and for creating the physical picture of the ultrasound image.
MCL 333.17015 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
Depending on the rate of reimbursement paid by insurers for ultrasounds, the requirement to use the most sophisticated available equipment could result in a minor increase in costs.
Fiscal Analyst: Steve Angelotti
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb1283/0910