Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report Highlights Issues In Various US States

The following highlights recent news of state actions on women's health issues.

Abortion Regulations
South Dakota: The state House Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday voted 11-2 to approve a state Senate bill (SB 185) that would require abortion clinics to obtain specific licenses and undergo state inspections, the AP/Aberdeen American News reports (Michael, AP/Aberdeen American News, 2/8). The measure requires that the state Department of Health charge a fee before inspecting the facility for compliance with state requirements and issuing a license. The bill, which was approved by the state Senate on Tuesday, would cap the fee at $2,000. The state House earlier this month approved a similar bill (HB 1198) (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 2/3). The Senate bill now moves to the state House for consideration (AP/Aberdeen American News, 2/8).

Stem Cell Research
Maryland: The state House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday heard testimony concerning a proposal from Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R) that calls for $20 million for stem cell research to be put in next year's budget, the Baltimore Sun reports (Skalka, Baltimore Sun, 2/9). Ehrlich's proposal would provide $20 million in the 2007 budget for any type of stem cell research project -- which could include use of embryonic, adult or umbilical cord stem cells -- that is approved by the governor-appointed 15-member board of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 1/30). During the committee hearing, the Department of Legislative Services said the state General Assembly should reduce Ehrlich's proposal to $10 million and distribute funds only after it has passed legislation on how the money should be used (Marimow/Wagner, Washington Post, 2/9).

Other Regulations
Missouri: The state House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday voted 10-0 to approve a bill (HB 974) that would allow midwives to deliver babies in private homes without risking legal sanctions, the AP/Kansas City Star reports. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Cynthia Davis (R), would repeal a 47-year-old law that deems midwifery an illegal medical practice. Under current state law, only certified nurses trained in midwifery may deliver at home if they have approval from a doctor within 30 miles. The bill now moves to the state House for consideration. An identical measure (SB 637) is awaiting a hearing in the Senate (Zagier, AP/Kansas City Star, 2/8).

Utah: The state Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday voted 2-2 on whether to recommend a bill (SB 42) that would have required Utah insurance companies to cover birth control as part of their insurance plans, the Provo Daily Herald reports. The tie vote means that the committee will not send the bill to the state Senate (Choate, Provo Daily Herald, 2/9). State Rep. Scott McCoy (D) is the third -- and only male -- lawmaker to sponsor the bill for eight years in a row, according to the Associated Press (Dobner, Associated Press, 2/8). Sixty-eight percent of women in the state are covered by federally regulated insurance companies, which are not required to cover contraception, according to Utah Health Insurance Association Director Kelly Atkinson (Walsh, Salt Lake Tribune, 2/9).















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