By Dave Andrusko

Yesterday, by an overwhelming vote of 77-20, the Kentucky House passed the Humanity in Healthcare Act. This multi-faceted bill now moves onto the Senate for its consideration.

Elements of the Act. 

According to Kentucky Right to Life, the bill (HB3)

• Updates current law concerning parental consent and protection of minors— the judicial bypass guidelines are in place
• Dignified care for the terminated remains of pregnancy loss
• Updates reporting requirements for pregnancy termination statistics
• Requires chemical/medical pregnancy termination health guidelines
• No taxpayer funding of abortion in Kentucky

State Representative Nancy Tate of Brandenburg is the bill’s sponsor.  She explained the motivation behind the bill (HB 3).

“We’re seeing an unprecedented increase in the use of chemical abortions and know that complications can arise from taking a tablet or capsule at home without the appropriate conversations between a doctor and a patient,” said Tate. “Specifically, HB 3 would require that a medical provider examine the patient in person and establish guidelines for what the examination includes. Physicians must also schedule a follow-up appointment and show reasonable efforts were made to provide follow-up care if the patient does not return. Under HB 3, those who do not inform or examine the patient prior to the abortion could be subject to a medical malpractice lawsuit. 

“The measure also calls for the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy to create the Kentucky Abortion-Inducing Drug Certification Program, which would focus on ensuring that physicians who prescribe medication to induce a chemical abortion have proper credentials and a signed contract with another physician who can handle any medical complications that arise.”

The ACLU, predictably, had a far different take. “Access to abortion is hanging by a thread across this country and here at home,” said Tamarra Wieder, Kentucky State Director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. “Politicians have already put in place a myriad of discriminatory and medically unnecessary barriers to abortion care…”

Addia Wuchner, Executive Director, Kentucky Right to Life, said

On behalf of Kentucky Right to Life and our Chapters across the Commonwealth, our sincere thanks to Rep. Nancy Tate, District 27, for her skill in sponsoring this bill, and to the members of the House ProLife Caucus for their support and votes, and to David Osborne, House Speaker pro tempore, for making the right to life and HB3 a Session priority.