Kansas House passes bill making doctors ask patients why they want abortions

TOPEKA (KSNT)- Kansas lawmakers have passed a bill that would require doctors to ask patients why they’re receiving an abortion, among other changes to reporting requirements.

House Bill 2749 passed 81-39 on Thursday, receiving backlash from Democrats.

“I vote no today and stand before you today to convey our responsibility to inform all patients… Kansas citizens and non-Kansans alike… that they have the right to refuse to answer any and all questions asked by a healthcare provider,” said Representative Melissa Oropeza, a Democrat from Kansas City.

The bill would require, except in the case of a medical emergency, each patient to be asked, prior to the termination of a pregnancy, to indicate the most important factor regarding their reason for deciding to seek an abortion.

According to the supplementary note on the bill, if the patient declines to answer, that response would be recorded.

The bill would also require providers to submit written reports of pregnancies lawfully terminated to the Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment on a biannual basis. Current law requires facilities and providers to submit these reports on an annual basis.

Each report would also be required to include information about the patient, such as their race, residence and marital status.

During hearings on the bill, opponents argued that the reporting requirement changes would place an “undue burden” on providers and patients. Supporters, however, argue that it would provide a better understanding of the reasons why women seek abortions.

Representative Brenda Landwehr, a Republican from Wichita, rose in support of the bill on Thursday.

“Knowledge is power and with more knowledge about why people are seeking abortions comes empowerment of choice,” Landwehr said. “Kansas women facing an unplanned pregnancy in future years will be the ultimate winners.”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

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