HB 292-ABORTION: INFORMED CONSENT; INFORMATION CHAIR WILSON announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 292, "An Act relating to information and services available to pregnant women and other persons; and ensuring informed consent before an abortion may be performed, except in cases of medical emergency." CHAIR WILSON told the members that while there are members of the public that would like to testify on the bill, she will be taking up the amendments to the bill, as the amendments may address some of the public's concerns. Number 1438 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked Representative Dahlstrom, sponsor of HB 292, if she is in agreement with the amendments he is proposing before the committee. Number 1464 REPRESENTATIVE NANCY DAHLSTROM, Alaska State Legislature, as sponsor of HB 292, spoke to the amendments of the bill and answered questions from the members. In response to Representative Seaton question, she responded that she is in agreement with the amendments. Number 1518 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt Amendment 1, which read [original punctuation provided]: Page 1, line 9, After "professional conduct" delete the words in a critical area of practice Page 1, line 13, After "on the Internet" insert the words that is reviewed and approved by the State Medical  Board and Page 2, lines 1 and 2, After "private choices" delete between permanent and life affecting alternatives Page 2, line 3, After "information site" insert the words that is reviewed and approved by the State Medical  Board Page 2, lines 8 through 10, Delete all material Page 2, line 19, After "agencies" delete and and insert , Page 2, line 21 After "(B)" insert agencies, services, Page 2, line 22 After "and services" insert and Page 2, 23, Create a new sub-section that shall read {C} agencies, services, clinics and facilities  designed to assist or provide contraceptive options  and counseling; Page 2, line 30, After "abortions services;" insert and the circumstantial criteria for the availability  of medical assistance benefits for contraception; Page 3, line 12, After "objective nonjudgmental, and" insert that is reviewed and approved by the State Medical  Board and Page 3, line 1, After "information that" insert is reviewed and approved by the State Medical Board  and Page 3, line 20 After "unbiased information" insert that is reviewed and approved by the State Medical  Board Page 3, line 24, Create a new sub-section that shall read (9) contains objective, unbiased and  comprehensive information that is reviewed and  approved by the State Medical Board on different types  of available contraceptive choices and the medical  risk and possible complications commonly associated  with each method as well as the possible psychological  effects that have been associated with using  contraceptives.  Page 5, line 16, Delete at least 24 hours before the abortion procedure, Page 6, line 16, After "this section" insert that do not violate the woman's privacy by including  her name or any another [other] identifying  information. Page 6, line 23, After "whether the" insert unidentified    Number 1523 REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA objected to the motion. CHAIR WILSON told the committee that she would like to individually discuss each change to the bill. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 1, line 9, after the words "professional conduct", delete the words "in critical area of practice." He pointed out that the State of Alaska regulates all of those professional standards of conduct. CHAIR WILSON asked Representative Seaton to clarify whether those words are in existing statute. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded that this is a new bill [new law]. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that [on page one] line 13, after the words "on the Internet", insert the words "that is reviewed and approved by the State Medical Board and". This language is inserted so that there is a standard for scientific and unbiased information. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that on page 2, lines 1 and 2, after the words "private choices", delete the words "between permanent and life affecting alternatives". REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that on [page 2] line 3, after the words "information site", insert the words "that is reviewed and approved by the State Medical Board". Representative Seaton asked if he could make a change to that amendment. He said that he wants to make sure the same wording is used as that in the previous section. So instead of the wording "after information site", it will be "after information site on the Internet", and then insert the words "that is reviewed and approved by the State Medical Board". Number 1710 CHAIR WILSON commented that this is amending the amendment. She said on page 2, line 3, of the amendment, after the words "information site", she will insert the words "on the Internet". CHAIR WILSON asked if there was any objection to amending the amendment. There being no objection, she announced that the amendment to Amendment 1 was adopted. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that on page 2, lines 8-10 would be deleted. Number 1735 REPRESENTATIVE WOLF asked what is the purpose of that amendment. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON replied that the information is out of context with the other findings. He said there has been considerable testimony on both sides of the issue, and the purpose is to show that there are findings on this and not to try to weight the bill one way or another. Number 1798 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that on page 2, line 19, after the word "agencies", delete the word "and" and insert ",". REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said the next change is on page 2, line 19, after the word "services", insert the following: ", clinics and facilities". REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 2, line 21, after "(B)", insert "agencies, services,". REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 2, line 22, after the words "and services", insert the word "and". REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 2, line 23, a new subsection will be created that will read as follows: "(C) agencies, services, clinics and facilities designed to assist or provide contraceptive options and counseling;". Number 1869 REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL asked for clarification on this language. Is this wording an effort to address organizations like Planned Parenthood? REPRESENTATIVE SEATON replied that is correct. It would cover Planned Parenthood or other organizations that may need to be covered. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 2, line 30, after the words "abortions services;", insert the following language: "and the circumstantial criteria for the availability of medical assistance benefits for contraception;". CHAIR WILSON pointed out that a word was added that is not on the amendment document provided to the committee. The word "and" was added. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded that it was an error in reading the amendment. He had not intended to add anything to the amendment. Number 1938 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 3, line 12, after the words "objective, nonjudgmental, and", insert the following language: "that is reviewed and approved by the State Medical Board and". REPRESENTATIVE SEATON commented that this language is to ensure that the information that is portrayed is scientific, accurate, and consistent throughout the bill. CHAIR WILSON asked about the next portion of the amendment because the numbering appears to go back up to line 1. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded that is a typographical error. It should have read page 3, line 15 [not line 1]. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 3, line 15, after the words "information that", insert "that is reviewed and approved by the State Medical Board and". Number 2039 CHAIR WILSON moved to adopt a conceptual amendment to change the wording from page 3, line "1" to read page 3, line "15". There being no objection, she announced that the amendment to Amendment 1 was adopted. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 3, line 20, after the words "unbiased information", insert the words "that is reviewed and approved by the State Medical Board". REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 3, line 24, a new subsection is created which reads: "(9) contains objective, unbiased and comprehensive information that is reviewed and approved by the State Medical board on different types of available contraceptive choices and the medical risk and possible complications commonly associated with each method as well as the possible psychological effects that have been associated with using contraceptives." CHAIR WILSON commented that this subsection is information related to pregnancy and pregnancy alternatives that the department shall maintain on the Internet in printable form. Number 2130 REPRESENTATIVE GATTO said that the previous sentence should end in "; and" to make it accurate. CHAIR WILSON moved to amend the amendment on page 3, line 23, by deleting the "." and insert ";". There being no objection, the amendment to Amendment 1 was adopted. Number 2172 REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL asked for some discussion on the new subsection where it provides for the State Medical Board's approval of the information. The bill also allows for the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health to review this information. He asked if the purpose of the amendment is to have two reviews of the language. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded that the information will be created by the department and reviewed by the State Medical Board. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL asked if anyone has talked with the State Medical Board on this. He said he is curious whether this complies with its scope of authority. He suggested that should be explored. Number 2253 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 5, line 16, the words "at least 24 hours before the abortion procedure," are deleted. CHAIR WILSON commented that this would delete the required 24- hour waiting period. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded that is correct. Number 2270 REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL asked Representative Seaton what the rationale is behind this change. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON commented that the testimony heard in an earlier hearing is that the waiting period would vastly increase the cost and delay other patients from receiving medical services because of the limited number of appointments available. Number 2272 REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM told the committee that in speaking with Senator Dyson, who is the cosponsor of the companion bill in the other body [SB 30], they are comfortable with shortening the time period to address some of the issues the medical community has expressed. However, they do believe there needs to be a waiting period, contemplation period, or an absorption- of-information period. Representative Dahlstrom said she does not support taking any time limit out of the bill. Number 2304 REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL commented that this will be a two-day process from the time of contact. There are early-term abortions that could happen on the first day. The further along in pregnancy, the more time is required. Removing this language creates some pressure in making the decision for those who have early-term pregnancies, and in his view this is an informed- consent issue. One size does not fit all for the time limit. There needs to be more work done in this section of the bill, he concluded. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded that he has no objection to a contemplation time. He said he believes to force someone who has come in from the Bush to overnight an extra night creates a hardship. As long as the contemplation time is short enough so that the patient could have the procedure during the same appointment, it would be helpful. Number 2374 REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM commented that when the amendments being presented by Representative Seaton are complete, she has an amendment that she would like to present to the committee that addresses some of the issues being discussed today and some of the issues raised in Dr. Murphy's testimony yesterday. She stated that most of the women have the abortion scheduled a few weeks ahead of time. If there were a printable signature page on the web site, that would address this issue. TAPE 03-41, SIDE B    REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL said he does not want to slow down the discussion of these amendments. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 5, line 16, after the words "this section", insert the following: "that do not violate the woman's privacy by including her name or any other identifying information." REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said on page 6, line 23, after the words "whether the", insert the word "unidentified". REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that the purpose of this change is to ensure that these reports are kept confidential and do not contain any identifying information. This language assures that the law follows the federal guidelines. Number 2314 REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM said she is comfortable with all of the changes with the exception of the one on page 5, line 16, which deletes the 24-hour waiting period. CHAIR WILSON suggested that the committee accept Amendment 1 with the agreement that there will be a change in the language to address Representative Dahlstrom's concern about the removal of the 24-hour waiting period. There being no objection, she announced that Amendment 1 was adopted. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON brought attention to Amendment 2, labeled 23-LS0867\H.1, Lauterbach, 5/7/03, which read: Page 4, line 24, following "woman": Insert "and the pregnant woman's estate, and only to the pregnant woman and the pregnant woman's estate," Following "damages": Insert "caused by the violation" CHAIR WILSON labeled the foregoing Amendment 2. She asked Representative Seaton to explain it. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON told the committee that the purpose of Amendment 2 is to ensure that it is clear that the woman and her estate are the entities that would be entitled to this presumptive information. This is to demonstrate a rebuttable presumption and that this accrues to a woman and her estate and not a third party. For example, Greenpeace, Right to Life, a church, or someone not involved would not be able to come in and assert for the woman, and get this information. Number 2184 REPRESENTATIVE GATTO said he believes there needs to be a sponsor statement and a sectional analysis on this bill. Since there are so many amendments [changes] all at one time, he asked if there is a summary of what the amendments accomplish. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL commented that he was trying to follow the rationale on this amendment. He said he is concerned whether this is legal. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded that the Legislative Legal and Research Services drafted this language to make sure the amendment is correct. This change is only to prevent a third party from filing a lawsuit on someone's behalf that is not the woman or her estate. Number 2113 REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL removed his objection to the amendment. REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM asked if the Legislative Legal and Research Services talked about parental consent being involved. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that they did not talk about that. But he said he assumes it is the person who has consent and the interested parties. This could be researched further by Legislative Legal and Research Services to ensure that situation is covered. REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM responded that she will follow up on that issue. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL reiterated that he has removed his objection. Number 2045 CHAIR WILSON said that without objection, Amendment 2 was adopted. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded to Representative Gatto's request for a sponsor statement on the amendments by saying that this is a very complex bill and it could be a very controversial subject. The intent of these amendments is to take as much of the emotional fabric out of the bill so that it will have broad support. This can be accomplished by inserting scientific evidence, review of that evidence, and assurance that it does not restrict a woman's right to access information and does not remove confidentiality from medical procedure; then there can be broad support for this bill. Representative Seaton summarized his statement by saying his intent is to aid the sponsor in getting a bill that can have broad support. Number 1990 REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL commented that he agrees with a lot of what Representative Seaton says; however, he is not a scholar on the amendments that were presented. He reiterated his concern that the Department of Health and Social Services already provides many brochures on a variety of health and women's issues. None of them, to his knowledge, need to be reviewed by the State Medical Board before they are provided to the public. He wonders if this bill is starting a precedent and wonders if that is what the legislature wants to do. He told the committee that at this point he is not prepared to agree to that. He said he would like to take that portion out of the bill. CHAIR WILSON asked if the Department of Health and Social Services is available to address this question. CHAIR WILSON told the committee that because of the many changes to the bill, she is inclined to hold the bill and have the committee review the committee substitute. She asked the sponsor and other members of the committee what their thoughts are on this. REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM responded that she would be fine with that. She said she does have a question for the department. She said she knows the department makes many publications available to the public. For example, the department provides brochures about fetal alcohol syndrome and informational flyers about smoking while pregnant. She would like to know if those brochures are reviewed by the State Medical Board or if the department has full control over those publications. Number 1860 JOHN SHERWOOD, Unit Manager, Division of Medical Assistance, Department of Health and Social Services, testified on HB 292 and responded to questions from the committee. He said he cannot claim to be familiar with all of the brochures and pamphlets that the department provides; however, he wanted the committee to be aware that this information comes from a variety of sources. Some things are written in-house, and some things are provided to the department by different federal agencies that are in the business of providing this information in supporting states. He said he is not aware of anything going to the State Medical Board or some other in-state board for approval, but there could be some instance when that has occurred that he is not aware of. Number 1837 REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL commented that the question is how to verify scientifically appropriate and accurate information. Within the department's scope of work there must be instances when a variety of different brochures or pamphlets must be verified for accuracy. Does the department have a process where the information is examined for accuracy, scientifically accurate, and et cetera? MR. SHERWOOD stated that is not within his particular scope of work; however, he assumes the Division of Public Health medical professionals would review the information and determine that it is accurate before it would be disseminated. He said he is comfortable making that statement. Number 1797 REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL commented that last year the committee talked about this issue with the head of the Division of Public Health. The director had very firm views on this issue and assured the committee that the division could craft scientifically accurate information. The doctors who are hired to work in the Division of Public Health are quite capable, he said. Representative Coghill said that is his reason for bringing this question to the committee. Representative Coghill agreed with Chair Wilson's idea about holding the bill so that a few phone calls could be made to confirm and clarify some information. He said he is interested in seeing this legislation pass. Number 1750 REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA commented that she has several questions, some of which will be handled in the House Judiciary Standing Committee. Her concern is that this bill would appear to be creating obstacles to abortion, which is unconstitutional. She asked if this bill is affected by the new HIPAA [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act] rules that have to do with confidentiality. Some people she has talked to say these rules are much more complicated than the state understands. CHAIR WILSON stated that she will request that the Department of Health and Social Services look into that question before Tuesday, when the bill will be heard again. REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA said that those that have been waiting to testify on line may contribute things that the committee has not thought of. CHAIR WILSON announced that she will be closing the discussions soon. However, once the committee substitute is available, the committee will send a copy of it to anyone in the committee room or on line who would like to see it. She apologized to anyone who has been waiting to testify, but said she believes the amendments have changed the bill significantly and it is likely many of the public questions have been addressed in those changes. Chair Wilson said public testimony will be taken on Tuesday. CHAIR WILSON said copies will be sent to the members prior to the next meeting. If any members wish to offer amendments, she asked that they talk with the sponsor and provide a copy of proposed amendments prior to the meeting. Number 1604 REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA pointed out that some of the people who wish to testify could have come to meetings twice, taken time off of work, or arranged for babysitters, all in an effort to testify. Number 1593 CHAIR WILSON agreed with Representative Cissna. She asked if there is anyone on line who would find it difficult to return to the hearing on Tuesday. Number 1571 MYRNA GARDNER, testified in opposition to HB 292 and answered questions from the committee. She questioned that the intent of the bill is to provide an unbiased information web site for women. She offered her belief that in the state of Alaska, according to the Denali Commission, Internet technology, which is revolutionizing communication in urban areas of Alaska, is nonexistent in rural Alaska. The services are not there and the cost is astronomical to residents, so they do not have it available. She asked who this information would benefit. Ms. Gardner told the committee the language in the bill indicates that it is to be unbiased and should provide alternative options to abortion, but in subsection 2(a) and subsection 6, this language is not unbiased. She said this section describes the fetal development of an unborn child from fertilization to full term, including photographs. This bill is designed to scold women and to intimidate them, she said. She stated that she believes this bill says woman are not competent or capable enough to make this decision on their own or that women are not intelligent enough to go out there, get information, and make that decision rationally with their family, preacher, or physician. Ms. Gardner said these are the reasons why the legislature wants to mandate legislation to create a web site and force physicians to prove that they have given their patients this information. MS. GARDNER said that 20 years ago or more, people did not talk about abortions. Women did not have a lot of choices and they surely did not have people they could speak to. Now there are a lot of services out there. The information is on television, radio, and in the print media. [Abortion] is not an issue that is not spoken of or a procedure that people are unaware of. Everyone knows about it. Ms. Gardner pointed out that the situation has changed. This is another reason why she believes the State of Alaska does not believe these women are competent enough to make this decision on their own. She said she respects the sponsor's intent to make sure there is information out there, but that can be achieved by contributing to organizations that do that. She said she does not believe it is necessary to provide a state regulation [law]. MS. GARDNER said that she has a question about the bill on page 4, line 27, where it talks about "a preponderance of the evidence that a person gave to a woman a written copy of the material maintained on the Internet." She reported that according to the new HIPAA law, no information regarding a person's medical records is to be given to anyone without written consent. This bill does not even pay any respect to that law and would violate it, she suggested. She stated the law [HIPAA] is only as good as its enforcement. The only way a doctor can prove compliance is by having some state employee go to the doctor and ask him/her to prove compliance. How is the information validated? It means someone is looking at private medical records, which violates their privacy. Ms. Gardner said this bill is not the answer and asked the committee to not let this bill pass. Number 1300 REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked what her affiliations are with respect to this issue. MS. GARDNER responded that she has no affiliations and is speaking only for herself as an active registered voter. REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA commented that the average citizen usually does not come in and testify. Usually it is someone representing a group. She asked how sophisticated the women are who seek abortions in her circle. MS. GARDNER replied that the people she knows are almost overwhelmed with the technology today. This issue is sensitive, personal, and private. Because of the political sensitivity to this issue, there is a great deal of print media available. She has had family members and friends who have talked about abortion. Now sex education is taught to children. Most women are high school graduates and can research an issue; it is not like 50 years ago when women did not know what to do. She said women are competent and capable of making decisions now. Number 1172 REPRESENTATIVE GATTO said if the amount of information is overwhelming, and the women are competent and capable, then why are there so many teen pregnancies at the high school level. Number 1136 MS. GARDNER responded that it is not just women's fault, but she agrees that women should take protection, and so should men. She said she does not have an answer to Representative Gatto's question. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON commented that Representative Gatto's question is a good one. There were a rash of pregnancies in Homer for several years; and those girls wanted to get pregnant because it was the thing to do at the time, he surmised. It astounds him and others. They were having babies in high school and these were not accidents. It was the rage for a while. Why some make these choices is confounding to us, he said. REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA said that a recent report showed that births to teens shows Alaska behind the national average. At one time Alaska led the nation, but that turned around. Alaska is doing better. REPRESENTATIVE GATTO pointed out the contradiction in information: Ms. Gardner said that Alaska's women are overwhelmed with information, but earlier she said in the Bush there is not good access to information. He said he actually believes that there is good access in the Bush because Alaska is the most Internet-connected state in the country and it is available. He commented that Ms. Gardner is one of the few people he has heard say that the problem is too much information. MS. GARDNER said that the common citizen does not have access to the Internet in the Bush. The cost to use the Internet is expensive; however, there is television, radio, and the printed word. She believes this bill still says women are not competent to make this decision. She disagrees with this assumption, she told members. This bill is not about new information, but old and biased information, and about saying women are not capable. REPRESENTATIVE GATTO responded that he does not think women are not capable. He said that if someone goes to a store and buys anything, there are labels that go on and on and on; that does not mean that the storeowner or the manufacturer thinks the consumer is incompetent and therefore has to be told a lot of information. It is simply another source of information. He asked whether Ms. Gardner would object to a label on a can that specifies what vitamins are contained in it, for example, that milk has vitamin D, and therefore it implies that the consumer is incompetent to find this information himself or herself and thus would be insulted it is on a milk container. Number 0874 MS. GARDNER said she would not find that insulting. She said she believes knowledge is powerful. But what this bill is saying is that it is mandatory that the physician prove that beyond a preponderance of the evidence he/she has given this specific information to the patient before the procedure can be done. Ms. Gardner stated that this is not additional information; it is mandatory. If this bill said this web site is available to be helpful, she said she would say thank you, but this is mandatory. Number 0770 BOB JOHNSON, M.D., testified via teleconference in opposition to HB 292. He told the committee that during his last ten years of medical practice he performed approximately 70 abortions per year for a total of 700 abortions. He said he is thoroughly familiar with the procedure, the risks, and the results. He told the committee he is retired and has nothing to gain by promoting abortion. He commented that Senator Dyson's testimony before the committee cautioned the members to note that there will not be any reference to the term "unborn child" by those opposing the bill. Dr. Johnson said this clearly indicates his bias with respect to abortion and his obvious conflict of interest. He said he thought this was to be a hearing and not a discussion of the bill and testimony of the committee in favor of the bill, and it soon became apparent that it was. Because of this, only two individuals were able to testify that afternoon, he complained. Some of those who were not able to testify were not able to come this afternoon. DR. JOHNSON told the committee his purpose for testifying is to see that obstacles are not placed in front of women who for multiple reasons feel they need an abortion. Each of his patients was provided with options available to them in addition to an abortion. Each was told as much as she wanted to know about the procedure, risks, and outcome. Each was scheduled for a follow-up visit two weeks after the procedure. He said his finding supports Dr. Murphy's findings. He said that the committee made a big fuss about her use of the term "termination of pregnancy", which he suspects was her attempt to be sensitive to patients' feelings about the term "abortion" because those who are in favor of a right to life have made it a nasty word. DR. JOHNSON told the committee that his findings show that the risks are considerably less than what some are led to believe by those who oppose abortion. For instance, only two of his patients experienced post-abortion depression requiring treatment, and both of these patients recovered. Dr. Johnson said this is less than the incidence of postpartum depression. None of his patients lost enough blood to require a transfusion, two of his patients had post-abortion infections that responded promptly to treatment, and those that so desired went on to have normal pregnancies. He said he saw no fertility problems associated with abortion. He told the committee that he does not believe politicians have any business telling patients what they must know, in spite of what advice they receive or from whom. It is an insult to the intelligence of women who, in his opinion, know exactly what they want to know and if encouraged will make sure their physician tells them. Number 0560 DR. JOHNSON asked if the committee really thinks physicians are not familiar with their responsibility to explain the options, risks, benefits, and details of any treatment. This legislation places more obstacles in the path of those who need an abortion. This legislation, along with much inaccurate publicity, complicates the decision and tends to make women who elect to have an abortion feel guilty. He said he thinks the occasional suicide he has heard mentioned is a direct result of this [inaccurate publicity]. Dr. Johnson asked the committee, on behalf of women who cannot raise a child, for any reason, to reject this legislation and any similar legislation. Number 0520 GENENEIVA PEARSON testified via teleconference in opposition to HB 292. She told the committee that she listened to Dr. Murphy's testimony and believes that physicians are taking care of the concerns the committee has. Ms. Pearson said that if the committee believed legislation was necessary, Dr. Murphy's testimony should make it clear that the bill is not necessary. Government should not interfere with a relationship between physician and patient. She said that the women who complained to Representative Dahlstrom about their choices need to take responsibility and not blame someone else for their actions. Number 0401 KAREN VOSBURGH, Executive Director, Alaska Right to Life, testified via teleconference in support of HB 292. She told the committee that she represents not only herself, but also the 50,000 people in their database. Ms. Vosburgh said that it is a fact that abortion leads to physical and psychological damages to women. Abortionist do not like to call it a child, but that is exactly what it is. The description of the pre-born baby is relevant to a woman's decision about abortion. To claim that this information does not pertain directly to the abortion procedure is to deny any possibility that a second human being is involved. Women deserve to know exactly what is being removed before they make that decision. The doctor, nurse, or counselor who protects the woman seeking the abortion from the facts to keep them from anxiety or guilt, has made a moral decision on the woman's behalf, she said, and that is completely unacceptable. Number 0318 MS. VOSBURGH said everyone has heard the reference of the pre- born baby as tissue or some term that would not give any humanity to the baby within it. Abortionists say they fully inform their patients before committing the abortions; however, Ms. Vosburgh told members, nearly 80 percent of the women surveyed by the Elliot Institute said that they were actively misinformed by their counselors prior to their abortion. In every one of the thousands of cases documented, a full explanation and possible risks of complications were not given by abortion providers. When questions were asked, answers about risks were understated, misconstrued, or avoided. Rather than addressing risks, alternatives, fetal development, the abortion counseling consisted of birth control techniques. This is precisely why there needs to be informed-consent laws. Women have the right to know, and a lot of them are not getting the information. Women rely on their doctors for accurate information, and they are not getting it, she asserted. That does not apply across the board, but in all the research she has done, it applied to a great percentage of women. It is very necessary that women have this knowledge. Ms. Vosburgh pointed out that those providing the counseling have a huge conflict of interest, considering that they receive payment for "committing" abortions on those they counsel. Number 0212 MS. VOSBURGH told the committee of an example in Red River Abortion Clinic, where she said a counselor provided the following false statements to her clients: Anti-abortion activists say having an abortion increases the risk of developing breast cancer and endangers future childbearing. None of these claims are supported by medical research or established medical organizations. MS. VOSBURGH stated that this abortionist should not be passing out information like this. If this person were to research the evidence about breast cancer, future childbearing complications, and a huge psychological impact that most women have, she would not be providing this information. The hormonal disruption that occurs when a woman's pregnancy is artificially interrupted leaves the breast with an abnormally high number of cells vulnerable to cancer, she told members. The first study done on abortion as a risk factor for breast cancer was published in 1971. That report showed that abortion appears to cause substantial increase and risk of subsequent breast cancer. Almost two decades later, 15 or 14 American studies bear out this early warning. But to this day, women are not informed about this significant health threat. She told the committee it is time for the American people to decide for themselves whether the evidence warrants disclosure. It is time the women in Alaska get protection because the abortionists providing the services are not informing them. She told the committee she has a lot more information and will send it on to the committee. Number 0090 REPRESENTATIVE GATTO announced that Chair Wilson had left the meeting and that he will be chairing the meeting. He asked if anyone else on line would like to testify. [There was no response.] TAPE 03-42, SIDE A  REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA commented that those wishing to testify via teleconference often need a few minutes before they can be heard. REPRESENTATIVE GATTO announced that Chair Wilson had returned to the meeting. Number 0031 CHAIR WILSON asked Representative Dahlstrom to summarize any further statement she might have on HB 292. REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM commented that the information Ms. Vosburgh provided in testimony is in the bill packets. She thanked those that testified and said that it takes a lot of courage to talk about sensitive issues. Representative Dahlstrom said there are comments made in testimony by Ms. Gardner that bother her and she wants to address those. Ms. Gardner had said this bill states that women are not competent. Representative Dahlstrom said she absolutely does not believe that is the case. She said she operates on the true feeling that information is power and it does not matter what it is, whether it was the example given previously about reading labels in the grocery store, or staying current on all types of medical information, health information, the best way to build a home, or any area where there is an effort to gain as much information as possible. Representative Dahlstrom stated for the record that it is absolutely untrue that her intent in filing this bill was based on her belief that women are not competent. Number 0186 REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM told the committee that she had an opportunity to speak with a woman who had an abortion 30 years ago. It just came up in a conversation. The woman told her that it almost destroyed her life and that she had years and years of counseling. She said she does not know the particulars on this, but that this is a woman who has been dealing with this for a long time. As a previous testifier [Ms. Pearson] said, individuals must be responsible for their actions and there are consequences for every action that is taken in life. That is why it is extremely important that there is as much information as possible, so that all women can have this information. Representative Dahlstrom told the committee of a woman who is very close to her, who had an abortion and her comments were, "Why can't this be like when I go to the store and I buy something and I decide I don't want it and I go back to the store and I return it and it is done." Buyer's remorse is a simple thing that is experienced by many individuals. For something that is so critical that affects women's bodies and affects them for a very long period of time, erring on the side of caution cannot be bad in any way, shape, or form. REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM addressed the comments and facts that were stated earlier from a publication Representative Cissna has. She said she is interested in looking at those facts. She agreed that Alaska used to be the number-one state in the nation in teenage pregnancies, unwed pregnancies, and unwanted pregnancies. While the numbers are down, her personal belief is that a big reason that those numbers are down is due to the many abortions that are taking care of those pregnancies. She said that she does not have the numbers in front of her now, but will have them available for the next hearing. She recalled that the numbers were very alarming and that they listed the number of abortions performed on young women between the ages of 12 and 15, 15 and 17, and then 18 and above. It was broken down by inside the Municipality of Anchorage and outside the Municipality of Anchorage. Number 0438 REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM said that she goes back to the thought that information is power. If a woman has made that very personal choice, she will respect that choice. She said that in her life when there are very important decisions to make, information provided to her helps her make the best decision possible. People all deal with the consequences of our actions. The intent of this legislation is to provide information so that when people make choices, they are informed, and they know exactly what they are doing. Then they can move on with their life and have a happy productive life. Number 0501 REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA responded that she agrees with Representative Dahlstrom's testimony that one can never get enough information and she supports that effort. However, since many of the people who probably are seeking this procedure are people well over 35 years old, why include the requirement to check to see if they did their homework. These people are individuals who have done all the things expected in being responsible adults. Number 0560 REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM replied that she is 45 years old, and has been through many experiences in life. However, she continues to be amazed at all the things she does not know, and all the things that she has not experienced because these situations have not been a part of her personal life. Representative Dahlstrom said as she learns and becomes aware of other experiences, it makes her a better person, and it makes her more accepting of other people. Understanding different circumstances helps to shape who she is because she gains that information. When someone is over 21, he/she is responsible for certain things; for example, most people by the time they are in their 30s or 40s have purchased a home. The intent of this bill is not to state that someone is not able to make a good decision, but maybe it is the first time that person has had to make this decision. CHAIR WILSON announced that will be the end of testimony on HB 292 until next week. [HB 292 was held over.]