Sponsor Statement for HB 90

In Alaska, abortion is legal but not without great psychological as well as physical risks. It is essential to the well-being of a woman considering an abortion to receive complete and accurate information on all viable alternatives.

The decision to abort is often a stressful one and it is important that it be made with full knowledge of its nature and consequences, both in the immediate and the far-reaching future.

With the absence of a law, abortion facilities or providers are not required to offer counseling opportunities. Many such facilities often hire untrained and unprofessional counselors whose primary goal is to sell abortion services.

This bill provides that the attending physician must orally explain the procedure and risks to the patient. The few minutes this explanation requires can be worth a great deal to a patient who may be under significant emotional strain.

Based on the above reasons, I urge the Legislature to consider the merits of this measure. It is important that every woman considering an abortion know as much as possible about the consequences and the available alternatives.