Judge strikes down ultrasound law
March 29, 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma: On Wednesday March 28th, Judge Bryan Dixon struck down the state law which required doctors to perform both an ultrasound and provide a verbal description of the fetus before a woman has an abortion. Judge Dixon ruled that it was an unconstitutional special law, and couldn't be enforced because it addresses only patients, physicians and sonographers dealing with abortions without addressing other medical care.[1]
The ultrasound law is in use in seven states and currently on hold in North Carolina. The law was recently upheld in Texas, requiring doctors in the state to perform an ultrasound and describe the fetus to patients.[1]
In a positive response to the ruling the CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, Nancy Northup, said: “The court has resoundingly affirmed what should not be a matter of controversy at all — that women have both a fundamental right to make their own choices about their reproductive health, and that government has no place in their decisions.”[1]
Anti-abortion groups were disappointed with Judge Dixon's ruling. The author of the ultrasound statute, Republican Representative Lisa J. Billy argues that ultrasounds are already preformed and the new law would only require doctors to make the images available for women to view. The chairman of the anti-abortion group Oklahomans for Life, Tony Lauinger, hopes the decision will be appealed by Attorney General Scott Pruitt.[1]
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