Legislators alter abortion pill regulations

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana State Senators have dropped a proposed requirement that doctors must try to perform two ultrasounds on women who take the abortion pill.

Sen. Ron Alting (R-22) headed the change. Alting said legislators shouldn't be acting like doctors. He said legislators need to be wary of infringing on a woman's rights.

Senators unanimously voted Monday to change the bill on abortion pill regulations. Doctors were required to perform a ultrasound both before and two weeks after a woman took the pill. The change now gives doctors the option to use other tests during the follow-up exam, if they believe they are more appropriate.
    
Alting said the follow-up vaginal ultrasound is invasive for women.

"Those tests are at the doctor's choice and the woman's choice, not the General Assembly's choice. That could be a blood test, it could be a urine test, it could be an ultrasound, if the doctor believes that was the best," Alting explained.

Alting said blood and urine tests can also determine if the pill has done its job.

"The amendment isn't about being pro-life or pro-choice, it's about doing the right thing," Alting said.