ABORTION REPORT: HISPANIC ETHNICITY H.B. 4406 (H-1):
ANALYSIS AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
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House Bill 4406 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative John Espinoza
House Committee: Health Policy
Senate Committee: Health Policy
Date Completed: 5-14-10
RATIONALE
Under the Public Health Code, a physician who performs an abortion must report to the Department of Community Health (DCH) within seven days. The DCH is required to aggregate the data in the individual reports and produce an annual statistical report, which may be used only for medical and health purposes. Each individual report must contain specific information, such as the woman's age, marital status, and race, and may not contain any information that is not prescribed in the Code. The prescribed information does not include whether the woman is of Hispanic ethnicity, although that information is contained in other DCH reports. The forms used to report cancer, fetal death, and HIV, for example, ask whether an individual is of Hispanic origin. It has been suggested that this information also should be included in abortion reports.
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to require a physician's report of an abortion procedure to include the woman's Hispanic ethnicity, if applicable.
The bill would take effect on January 1, 2011.
MCL 333.2835
ARGUMENTS
(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)
Supporting Argument
The collection of demographic information, including race and ethnicity, can help health agencies identify underserved populations and can lead to necessary interventions and education. Individuals of Hispanic ethnicity are said to be the most rapidly growing minority group in this country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the nation's population of Hispanics is projected to increase from 15.5% in 2010 to 20.1% in 2020, and to 24.4% by 2050. In Michigan, the Hispanic population was estimated to be almost 409,000 in 2008, and is projected to continue increasing. Reporting information about abortions among Hispanic women would be consistent with the collection of other health-related data about Hispanic residents, helping to address their medical needs.
Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would add one item to a reporting form that is already required and would have no fiscal impact.
Fiscal Analyst: Steve AngelottiAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb4406/0910