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Bill

HR 48

Ultrasound Informed Consent Act

119th Congress Introduced by Andy Biggs and 3 co-sponsors

HR 48 mandates 24-hour waiting periods and ultrasound viewing before abortion procedures for federally-funded providers, affecting abortion access nationwide.

Introduced in House
0
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Bill Summary · HR 48

Legislative bill overview

HR 48 requires that women seeking an abortion receive an ultrasound at least 24 hours before the procedure and be given the opportunity to view the ultrasound images and hear the fetal heartbeat if detectable. The bill applies to all abortion providers receiving federal funding and establishes penalties for non-compliance.

Why is this important

This legislation directly impacts abortion access procedures and informed consent requirements, affecting millions of women and abortion providers nationwide. It represents a significant expansion of state-level ultrasound mandate approaches into federal law, with substantial implications for healthcare practice standards and reproductive rights depending on one's perspective.

Potential points of contention

  • Informed consent framework dispute: Supporters argue ultrasound viewing ensures informed decision-making; opponents contend mandatory ultrasound requirements constitute government intrusion into medical practice and may psychologically pressure patients
  • Timing and access barriers: The 24-hour waiting period combined with ultrasound requirements may create practical obstacles for patients with limited resources, transportation, or time off work, disproportionately affecting lower-income women
  • Fetal heartbeat detection language: Language about "fetal heartbeat" is scientifically contested at early gestational ages and carries emotional/political significance, raising questions about how information is presented to patients
  • Federal funding leverage: Conditioning federal funding on these requirements may effectively nationalize abortion restrictions despite varying state laws and could affect Medicaid coverage

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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