The state Senate delayed action Tuesday on legislation which would place additional requirements on abortion providers in Wisconsin. New Berlin Republican Mary Lazich, the bill’s author, says it assures that physicians speak directly with women before administering abortion-inducing drugs. “We should not be allowing a lessor quality of health care for a girl or a woman seeking an abortion,” says Lazich. “And SB 306 assures that quality of health care.” The bill also requires doctors to make sure women are not being coerced into seeking an abortion.
AUDIO: Senator Mary Lazich (:20)
Janesville Democrat Tim Cullen says the bill is not about standards of care. “This bill is intended to be about abortion,” says Cullen. “This bill is intended to be about playing to those groups that support candidates who tell them that they’re anti-abortion, and they want to overturn Roe V. Wade.”
AUDIO: Senator Tim Cullen (:20)
Democrats used a procedural move to block a final vote on the bill. The Senate will be back on the floor at 9:00 Wednesday morning to act on the measure.