SB 1744 - My letter to the Florida Senate Health Regulation Committee

[Pacifist Patriot]

I am extremely concerned about a current bill in committee that would force a woman to undergo an ultrasound prior to an abortion. I understand this would be the case even when it is not in the best judgment of her personal physician. Regardless of one's views on abortion, this is not an appropriate measure to take.

I looked at the composition of the Florida Senate Health Regulation Committee and only see two individuals who might have had personal experience with a transvaginal ultrasound. Due to a personal struggle with infertility, I have had countless ultrasounds of this type and can assure you it is an invasive medical procedure that should never be forced upon any woman if not considered medically appropriate by the attending physician.

While I would love to see a world with a 0% abortion rate, I would prefer that be because of a 0% unwanted pregnancy rate and 0% congenital defect rate. Investing in education and medical care for all woman would advance the cause of eliminating abortion far more effectively than state-sanctioned rape, which is what forcing a transvaginal ultrasound amounts to. I realize that sounds melodramatic, but again, I speak from experience.

I am grateful I have never had the personal trauma of deciding whether or not to terminate a pregnancy, either because the child was unwanted or not viable, but I have provided pastoral care for those who have. It is never ever a decision made lightly no matter what some far right wing pundits would have their listeners or viewers believe. I cannot imagine the compounding effect SB 1744 would have on the women in our state who are faced with such a heart-wrenching decision.

Please leave such matters between a woman and her health care provider. Our constitutional right to privacy would ask no less.