The following bills have been proposed in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Ultrasound opportunity act
HB 2701
Chief Sponsor: Representative Barbara Wheeler
Background: This bill was sparked after an Illinois woman was refused by an abortion clinic to see her ultrasound. Frustrated, she left the clinic and instead went to a pregnancy help center that was able to give her a free ultrasound and let her see.
Bill Summary: This bill would require the medical professional to offer any woman seeking an abortion after 8 weeks gestation, the opportunity to receive and view the ultrasound prior to beginning an abortion.
Read the entire text and view all the bill sponsors here.
Women’s Health and Protection Act
HB 3274
Chief Sponsor: Representative Sheri Jesiel
Background: Following the release of Illinois Right to Life’s women’s health report on the conditions of abortion clinics, a grave need for regular health and sanitary inspections was found necessary. While tanning salons, Chicago restaurants, and nursing homes receive an average of one health inspection per year (as required by law) Illinois abortion clinics receive a health and sanitary inspection an average of once every 9 years. 193 health and sanitary violations were discovered in thirteen of the fourteen licensed women’s clinics when they were inspected between 2011 – 2014 (the majority of the women’s clinics were inspected for the first time in 9-17 years. )
Bill Summary: This bill does four things:
NOTE: This bill exempts clinics that only dispense medical abortion pills since no surgical procedure takes place.
NOTE: Women’s clinics that perform 50 or more surgical abortions are already required by law to report on the abortions to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
54% of the abortion clinics open today, are not licensed and therefore have not since 1999 received a health and sanitary inspection. No Planned Parenthood in Illinois has a state license.
Approximately 193 health and life code violations were cited in thirteen of the fourteen licensed women’s clinics between 2011-2014 (when the clinics were inspected. The majority were inspected for the first time in between 9-17 years.)
Currently women’s abortion clinics are receiving inspections an average of once every 9 years while Chicago restaurants, tanning salons, and nursing homes receive health inspections an average of once every year.
NOTE: If the clinic closes, the Illinois Department of Public Health assumes the responsibility for notifying the clinic’s patients.
In 2011, two clinics were closed on an emergency basis and later voluntarily closed permanently because of the egregious health and sanitary violations. A clinic was found to have no documentation that the autoclave machine (the machine that sterilizes the surgical tools inserted into women’s bodies) was in working order for three weeks. The Department of Public Health could product no documentation that the clinic’s patients were notified of the severe health and sanitary violations found inside the clinic that posed risk to their health.
More information on the conditions of Illinois’ abortion clinics can be found at www.WomensHealthComesFirst.com
Read the entire text and view all the bill sponsors here.
Women’s Health Defense and Pain Capable Act
HB 3561
Chief Sponsor: Representative Terri Bryant
Background: Research shows that abortions performed after 20 weeks drastically increases the risks including but not limited to: uterine perforation, uterine scarring, cervical perforation, infection, bleeding, hemorrhage, blood clots, failure to actually terminate the pregnancy, incomplete abortion (retained fetal matter), pelvic inflammatory disease, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, renal failure, shock, coma, psychological or emotional complications including depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders, an increased risk of breast cancer, and death.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, the risk of death associated with abortion increases the later the abortion, as follows:
At or before 8 weeks gestation: 1 for every 1,000,000,000 abortions
16-20 weeks gestation: 1 per every 29,000 abortions
At 21+ weeks gestation: 1 per every 11,000 abortions
Advancements in science and medicine have provided us with substantial evidence showing that unborn children can feel the pain of dismemberment abortion as early as 20 weeks gestation. Documented reactions of unborn children feeling pain during surgery has led fetal surgeons to find it necessary to sedate the unborn child with anesthesia to prevent the unborn child from thrashing about in reaction to invasive surgery.
Bill Summary: This bill would prohibit abortions after the unborn child is 20 weeks gestation. An exception is allowed for a significant health risk that would endanger the mother’s life.
Read the entire text and view all the bill sponsors here.
Insurance Nutritional Support
HB 120
Chief Sponsor: Representative Mary Flowers
Background: Health insurance companies have denied coverage for intravenous feeding and for enteral or tube even if a doctor deems in a written order one is medically necessary for the health and life of a patient.
Bill Summary: This bill would require insurance companies to provide the same coverage (including co-pay and deductibles) as other benefits within the plan ensuring patients have full access to medically necessary feeding tubes.
Read the entire text and view all the bill sponsors here.
Choose Life License Plates
HB 423
Chief Sponsor: Representative Tom Morrison
Background: Historically, politicians have blocked the passage of Illinois Choose Life license plates stating the state has enough specialty license plates. Meanwhile, other specialty license plates are approved.
Bill Summary: This bill would allow Illinois citizens to purchase Choose Life license plates. A portion of the cost of the plate would be donated to an organization that supports women placing their children up for adoption.
Read the entire text and view all the bill sponsors here.
UPDATE: This bill was killed in committee.