PROVIDENCE — Hearings were held June 4 at the State House on two similar House bills that would expand and enlarge the material concerning informed consent procedures for women seeking abortions and a bill that would require an ultrasound image be made of every fetus about to be aborted for review by the mother seeking the abortion.
The House Bill 5335, known as Women’s Right to Know Act (WRTK), would provide a woman with accurate information about the development of a fetus and abortion alternatives. It also includes a 24 hour waiting period for decisions regarding abortion.
House Bill 5555, would allow ultrasound test information to be seen and explained to the woman if she so chooses. The legislation does not force the woman to look at the ultrasound.
Representative Karen L. MacBeth lead sponsor of the Ultrasound bill and co-sponsor of the WRTK bill offered her personal testimony in support of each.
MacBeth expressed it is vital that a woman be offered as much information as possible especially for a decision that could change her life.
“I implore this committee to see this bill as a ‘Pro Information for Women’ bill,” said MacBeth. “Please remember that this Pro Information for Women bill provides information to a woman so she can make an informed decision —a decision that will impact her for the rest of her life.”
The lead sponsor of WRTK Act, Representative Peter G. Palumbo said that he is hopeful that the bill should move out of committee this year.
“It really gives a woman the knowledge that she should have prior to having an abortion,” said Palumbo. “The people who have testified who have had abortions are the best witnesses to this.”
Carol Larivee testified in favor of the similar bills, sharing her experience of the pain that came from the three abortions she had 31 years ago. Now, with eight children, Larivee explained how important it is to inform women about all aspects of abortion whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual.
“I regret my abortions,” said Larivee. “I feel that they need to know this information. You can’t change the past but you can change the choices you will make for the future.”
Retired obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Benjamin Healey said that knowledge that is gained from viewing an ultrasound, including the presence of new DNA, can be very moving for both parents.
“When a person sees this ultrasound and realizes there is a new substance there, with new DNA, not only part of the mother’s DNA but the father’s, that might give them some personal reflection,” said Dr. Healey. “Once a person knows these important things, they might make the choice not to have an abortion. These bills are the last amber alert for the unborn child.”
Father Bernard A. Healey, Governmental Liaison for the Diocese of Providence, explained that ultrasound images provide women seeking an abortion with information that cannot be gained from a brochure.
“Ultrasound images may show a woman her unborn child smiling, suckling a thumb, or even stretching or kicking,” Father Healey said. “These images provide sound evidence that the unborn child in the womb is a human life and not simply a mass of cells or clump of tissue.”
MacBeth added that one may argue that an ultrasound is always done before a woman has an abortion. This proposed legislation places an emphasis on guaranteeing that the woman knows she has the right to see and understand the ultrasound.
Speaking from personal experience, MacBeth said that, as someone who knows what it is like to have an unplanned pregnancy, she knows how important it is to get information.
“Sixteen years ago, I can tell you that for a woman to go in for her first ultrasound, it was scary,” said MacBeth. “I was 25 and educated so one would think I would know that I could look at the ultrasound. I didn’t.”
MacBeth explained that she never thought to ask if she could watch.
She was surprised to find what she saw when someone told her to look at the ultrasound.
“It was then that I saw and was told I was having twins,” MacBeth described. “My twins are now 15 years old.”
Barth Bracy, executive director of the Rhode Island State Right to Life Committee, said that the WRTK Act provides women with unbiased, medically accurate information about pregnancy and ensures that women have received information about social assistance programs, adoption and their legal rights. He stated that the information does not negate choice.
“Information enhances a person’s ability to choose what is best for them,” said Bracy. “This is something that all of us know.”
Carol Owens, coordinator of the diocesan Respect Life Office, said the 24-hour time of reflection is a small request but a crucial part of the WRTK legislation as it allows a women time to weigh her decision and alternatives.
“Everyone has a right to this waiting period, 24 hours, regardless of the surgical procedure,” said Owens.
“Even tobacco companies are required to warn of the links between smoking and cancer. After all, it is the public’s right to smoke but it is also the public’s right to know the dangers.”
Almost 30 states have passed an effective Women’s Right to Know Act and have witnessed as much as a 30 percent drop in the abortion rate, according to Rhode Island Right to Life.
“I commend Representatives Macbeth and Palumbo for introducing such reasonable legislation that would decrease abortion in our state,” said Father Healey. “Contrary to Planned Parenthood and their allies, these two pro-life bills are pro-women. Rep. Macbeth is the mother of three children and her commitment and courage in advancing the cause of mothers and their unborn children is highly commendable.”
