Chances Improved for Pro-Life Bills in New Assembly Informed Consent and Patient Autonomy Top Agenda

Current law in Virginia requires an abortionist to tell a woman of medical risks, if any, in her particular situation. This language is ambiguous at best and can often mean that a woman is told nothing.

Last year, the House of Delegates passed this bill by a substantial 61-39 margin but the bill died in the Senate Education and Health Committee, falling just one vote short.

Sharing the top spot on the pro-life agenda is the Patient Autonomy Protection Act which addresses the current law that allows withdrawal of life-saving medical treatment against the will of a patient or his/her family if a doctor considers it "medically or ethically inappropriate." The bill would require treatment to be continued while another physician is found who is willing to accept transfer of the patient.

Detailed fact sheets on these two issues are found on page 4 and pages 5-6 respectively. Please contact your Delegate and State Senator and use these fact sheets to urge support of these two important bills.

Also consider talking to your doctor about the Patient Autonomy Protection Act. Many doctors are understandably concerned about any potential laws that might impinge on their practice of medicine, and may oppose this bill for that reason. As explained in the last bullet on the fact sheet, the bill does not require treatment that is futile, nor that treatment be continued indefinitely by an unwilling physician. Expressions of support by physicians will be especially important in passing this legislation; please ask your doctors to contact their legislators stating their agreement with this bill.

Prospects for pro-life legislation in the 2000 General Assembly have improved as a result of the 1999 elections. Every pro-life incumbent won reelection and three pro-life challengers ousted veteran legislators, two with long anti-life voting records and one with a mixed record.

For many years, pro-life bills have passed the House but died in the Senate Education and Health Committee. Two members of that committee were defeated for reelection in November. In a major upset, Senate President Pro Tem Stanley Walker (D-Norfolk) was defeated by pro-life Republican Nick Rerras. Republican Jane Woods (R-Fairfax), who chaired the E&H Committee and was the sole Republican to vote against informed consent, was defeated by pro-abortion Democrat Leslie Byrne. While the new membership of the E&H Committee has not yet been determined as we go to press, there is reason to believe that pro-life legislation may fare better there this year.

In the House, pro-life Republican Terrie Suit ousted Delegate Glenn Croshaw (D-Virginia Beach) who had a mixed voting record but most recently opposed informed consent in 1999. In Northern Virginia, pro-abortion Delegate Gladys Keating (D-Franconia) was defeated by pro-life Republican Tom Bolvin who finally succeeded on his third try for the seat. Also, pro-life Republican Phil Larrabee picked up an open seat held by a retiring Democrat with a mixed record.

The new Republican majority means that the leadership positions transfer from Democratic to Republican hands. The new Speaker of the House is Delegate Vance Wilkins of Amherst who has a solid 100% pro-life voting record. "It will be refreshing indeed to have such an outstanding supporter of human life in what is considered the second most powerful position in Virginia government (behind the Governor)," commented VSHL State Legislation Chairman Fiona Givens. Republicans have given other leadership positions to Morgan Griffith of Salem as Majority Leader, Jack Reid of Henrico as Whip, and Leo Wardrup of Virginia Beach as House Caucus Chairman. All have pro-life voting records.

Published January 2000