REP. LEMAN SEEKING TO EXPAND ABORTION COMPLICATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
State Representative Ben Leman has filed legislation in an attempt to expand abortion complication reporting requirements.
(R-Anderson)
On Wednesday, Leman filed House Bill 1229, which would increase the reporting requirements to include any physician who treats a patient with complications related to an abortion, even if they did not perform the procedure and are not employed by the abortion facility.
This same bill was filed by Leman during the 86th Legislative Session.
The bill also states that follow-up visits within two weeks would be required with both surgical abortions and drug-induced abortions. Additionally, it would amend the Health and Safety Code to ensure physicians follow Food and Drug Administration protocols as they exist on January 1st when performing abortions using the drug Mifepristone.
Leman said this bill closes a reporting loophole that he claims “misleads people on the dangers of abortion.” According to Leman, follow-up visits with a doctor due to complications from an abortion currently do not get reported, other than visits with the doctor who performed the procedure. He said complications need to be reported no matter which doctor a patient goes to, adding, “The lives of babies will be saved if women considering an abortion truly understand how dangerous it is for them and change their mind.”