Governor Walker signs two laws that place more restrictions on abortions
By: Caroline Rowland
Updated: April 11, 2012
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)-- Democrats say the Governor is declaring a war on women by signing several new laws, two which place more restrictions on the physicians performing abortions and those who are seeking them.
Under Senate Bill 306, signed last week, physicians will now be required to speak with any women seeking an abortion one-on-one to determine whether the woman is being forced into having the procedure. If a physician ignores it the law, they could face felony charges.
"The doctor can go into the exam room and the only person i need to think about is the patient," said Dr. Tim Bartholow with the Wisconsin Medical Society.
The Wisconsin Medical Society represents more than 12,000 statewide, and they are strongly opposed to the new law, saying it infringes on the special and private patient and physician relationship.
"It is our sense that it's not the government's role to be in healthcare in this space with a patient physician relationship," said Dr. Barthlow.
SB306 also prohibits physicians from consulting with women seeking abortions via a web-cam, but the Wisconsin medical society says that is not something being practiced.
The other law, SB 92, would deny the coverage of most abortions for anyone covered under a federal health care reform law that goes into place in 2014.
People on the other side of the argument, fighting for Pro-life rights, argue the laws are a good thing for women. Activist Christina Pallini believes 70-percent of women who get abortions, are forced into them.
"I'm thrilled that the governor passed this bills because it's for all of us," said Pallini, "I think it's a step in the right direction for everybody, for tax payers we don't have to pay for things that we don't want to and don't agree with."
The new laws are sparking passion on both sides of the abortion debate. The advocacy group "Unite Women" is planning a rally at the capitol for April 28th to protest what they're calling "a war on women" by Governor Walker.
