Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/02/2002 01:56 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 160
An Act requiring the reporting of induced terminations
of pregnancies.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COGHILL, SPONSOR, spoke in support of
the legislation. He noted that the legislation would
implement a reporting system on abortion. He observed that
the reporting system would provide information on teen
pregnancy while protecting confidentiality. The information
obtained through the provision would allow the state to
respond to policy issues ranging from contraception to
education. There would be a 30-day reporting period. An
annual report would come through the Bureau of Vital
Statistics. Most states have similar programs through their
Bureaus of Vital Statistics. There is a $78 thousand dollar
fiscal note. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) support the
legislation. The legislation would provide information on
the number of abortions, the number of abortions tied to
various health issues, percentage of abortions in each
trimester, and the number of abortions in rural vs. urban
areas.
Representative John Davies acknowledged protections to
confidentiality but questioned how the statistics would be
derived. Representative Coghill explained that the
legislation does not require comprehensive reporting, but
would be an additional tool to be used in assessing what is
happening in the state.
DANIELLE SERINO, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL provided
information on the legislation. In response to a question by
Representative Bunde, she clarified that Planned Parenthood
and the Alaska Right to Life organizations testified in
support of the legislation in previous hearings.
Representative Coghill observed that there are certain
monetary benefits to the state based on the number of
abortions, which would benefit Planned Parenthood. The
statistics could also be used to support a case for some
other public policy.
Ms. Serino explained that insurance would not be negatively
affected by definitions contained in section (b) of the
legislation.
Representative Coghill reiterated that the intent is to
determine the number of abortions in the state of Alaska
through the Department of Health and Social Services,
Division of Vital Statistics. He observed that there are no
reports at the current time, which include these statistics.
Live births, fetal deaths and some sexually transmitted
diseases are reported through the Bureau of Vital
Statistics. The category would be protected through
confidentiality.
KAREN PEARSON, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF VITAL STATISTICS,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, spoke in support
of the legislation. She clarified that the legislation would
bring the state into compliance with the CDC guidelines and
maintain privacy protections. The change in the definition
of fetal death would not have any other implications beyond
statistical information. The Division concurs with the
fiscal notes.
KAREN VOSBURGH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA RIGHT TO LIFE,
MATSU, testified via teleconference in support of the
legislation. She questioned if there would be data regarding
the cause, age of mother, work status, location (outpatient
or office) or the trimester that the abortion takes place.
Representative Coghill explained that the report form would
note the type of abortion (whether it was a live birth),
gestational period, and national origin or race status.
Ms. Serino explained that the report would have much of the
information mentioned but noted that personal information
would not be available to the public. The patient would not
be identified. The final report would have the summation of
the statistics. Representative Coghill observed that the
statute only requires a report of the fact that there was a
termination of pregnancy. Ms. Vosburgh expressed concern
that death of the mother be reported.
ANNE HARRISON, FAIRBANKS, testified via teleconference in
support of the legislation. She noted that the statistics
could be used for scientific and research purposes, but
expressed concern regarding lapses in confidentiality. She
referred to section 6: "fetal death" means death before the
complete expulsion. She questioned if any sign of life in
the fetus after the abortion would put the provider in legal
jeopardy. She referred to section 8 line 2 and stated that
she would add a period after: "induced termination of
pregnancy" means the purposeful interruption of an
intrauterine pregnancy." She felt that the remainder of the
section was redundant: "with the intention other than to
produce a live-born infant, and that does not result in a
live birth, except that "induced termination of pregnancy"
does not include management of prolonged retention of
products of conception following fetal death." She felt that
the language was emotionally charged and should be
clarified.
Representative Coghill observed that the language was copied
from the Family Planning Prospective Volume 30, Number 5,
Appendix B.
BOB LYNN, PRESIDENT, ALASKA RIGHT TO LIFE, ANCHORAGE,
testified via teleconference in support of the legislation.
He maintained that more and better information can do
nothing but help regardless of one's stance on the issue. He
observed that governmental policy makers and health
providers could use the data for a multiple of purposes. He
observed that some studies have shown an association between
induced abortion and breast cancer. Adequate reporting of
abortion, linked to the reporting of breast cancer could
resolve important questions.
Representative John Davies questioned the necessity of
language on page 4, lines 3 - 6. Ms. Serino explained that
induced definition of pregnancy is used by the CDC and felt
that the language should remain. She added that "does not
include management of prolonged retention of products of
conception" relates to DNC procedures following abortions.
Representative Coghill stated that if the language were
changed that he would recommend the inclusion of the
language by Planned Parenthood, which is more encompassing.
Ms. Pearson explained that the definition is intended to
prevent the classification of the procedure where the fetus
has terminated prior to the expulsion, in order to get an
accurate account of what areas actually induced
terminations, as opposed to procedures needed to deliver a
fetus that is no longer alive.
Co-Chair Mulder referred to the fiscal note. He MOVED to
report CSHB 160 (JUD) out of Committee with the accompanying
fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 160 (JUD) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal impact note by
the Department of Health and Social Services.
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