Bill would require photos before abortion

BOISE – A bill that would require doctors to describe to women the physical characteristics of a fetus before performing an abortion is threatening to cause a rift between anti-abortion groups.

The Women’s Health Information Act, introduced by Rep. Ann Rydalch, R-Idaho Falls, requires the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to provide doctors with color photographs of a fetus at two-week gestational increments, along with a videotape showing an ultrasound of the fetus’ heartbeat at various ages.

Any doctor that knowingly denies a woman that information could be fined up to $5,000, and face the risk of a lawsuit that would “provide a basis for recovery for the woman for the wrongful death of her unborn child.”

Abortion-rights advocates say the bill is just a way to make it harder for women to get abortions in Idaho.

Abortion foes, meanwhile, are at odds over Rydalch’s proposal.

Julie Lynde, who represents the anti-abortion group Cornerstone Institute, said previous informed consent efforts have been hindered by wording such as the portion of Rydalch’s bill that requires doctors to tell women they may be at greater risk for breast cancer after an abortion.

“We had a number of legislators say that’s a lightning rod, that it takes the focus off informing women,” Lynde said.

The National Institutes of Health says there is no link between abortion and breast cancer.

“This is not medically accurate,” said Marty Durand, legislative liaison for the Idaho chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.