Groups Unite to Support Ultrasound in Hearing, Hold Press Conference

AUSTIN, Texas – Today, Free Market Foundation, along with many other organizations and individuals, will present testimony to the House State Affairs Committee in favor of the ultrasound bill (H.B. 36), filed in the Texas Legislature by State Representative Frank Corte.  This bill requires that a woman considering abortion be offered an ultrasound image and a chance to hear the heartbeat of her unborn child.  A companion bill in the Senate, SB 182 filed by Sen. Dan Patrick, has already passed out of committee and is awaiting full approval by the Senate.

“Women and young girls should not be effectively blind-folded as they are led into the abortion office.  They should be able to benefit from the advancement of technology and the critical information provided by an ultrasound to make an informed decision,” said Jonathan Saenz, director of legislative affairs and attorney at Free Market Foundation, who will present testimony in favor of the bill.

This bill also requires that an ultrasound be performed before a woman has an abortion.

“This bill protects both the health of women and the duty of informed consent,” said Dr. Linda Flower, a Texas board-certified family physician with nearly 20 years of obstetrics experience and Chairman of the Texas Physicians Resource Council, who will testify in favor of the bill.  “Performing an ultrasound is the standard of care for any procedure that involves the womb, including an abortion.”

Groups offering their support at the preceding news conference include:

Texas Right to Life,
Texans for Life Coalition,
Texas Physicians Resource Council,
Texas Alliance for Life,
Texas Eagle Forum,
Concerned Women for America,
Trinity Legal Center,
Liberty Legal Institute, and more.