Sen. Winder's ultrasound bill raises new question: Who will foot the bill?
A controversial bill introduced into the legislature this year by Sen. Chuck Winder is now raising more questions.
SB 1349, which states that a woman must first receive an ultrasound before she undergoes an abortion, is facing much opposition from women and reproductive health care organizations. Many are now asking how these ultrasounds will be paid for, and the idea that many free clinics that provide these ultrasounds will not count towards the requirement.
According to the Twin Falls Times-News, this is because many of these clinics are crisis clinics and not prepared to record a fetal heartbeat, which is a requirement of the bill. The woman would then have to go to another facility to receive a second ultrasound.
Hannah Brass, a spokeswoman with Boise Planned Parenthood argues mandating a woman pay for a state required health procedure is unfair.
"Adding this additional cost to this procedure when the government is just deciding you need to do this whether or not you need it medically is pretty outrageous," Brass said.
According to the Spokesman-Review, the average rate for these abortions is $186.
The Senate State Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing on the issue Wednesday morning at 8 a.m.
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