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Minutes for HB2439 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Requiring notification to patients that the effects of a medication abortion may be reversible.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 20, 2023
Scott Abbott, Revisor of Statute, provided an overview of HB2439.
Mr. Abbott responded to questions from the committee.
Dr. Jonathan Scrafford, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2439 (Attachment 1). While healthcare facilities that perform terminations of pregnancies and accredited trade organizations such as the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists typically recommend against attempts to reverse a medical abortion there was a large clinical trial that investigated outcomes following abortion pill reversal. The study strongly favored the safety and efficacy profile of abortion pill reversal. The study of 750 women in which the progesterone bases abortion pill reversal protocols were followed, in most cases the results were effective in maintaining fetal viability, and rates of all studied adverse outcomes were as low or lower than rates expected in the general public. Dr. Scrafford stated that informed consent requires a provider to inform a patient of the information which any patient may reasonably expect to know when undergoing a particular treatment plan.
Dr. Scrafford responded to questions from the committee.
Jean Gawdun, Director of Government Relations, Kansans for Life, provided testimony in support of HB2439 (Attachment 2). There is no acceptable reason that women who begin a abortion pill regimen and change their minds should be denied information about current protocols for abortion pill reversal (APR). In Kansas, Nearly 68% of abortions are "medication" abortions. A significant number of women who have ingested the first set of abortion pills change their minds about using the second set and have sought APR to save their baby. Published studies on APR show an approximate 64%-68% success rate in situations where only the first abortion pills are ingested. The fetal abnormality rate after APR is also parallel to those of ordinary pregnancies. KDHE has provided abortion informed consent materials and a toll-free number since 1998. The posting of APR information aligns with the fact that abortion facilities already post signage regarding statutes about abortions.
Ms. Gawdun responded to questions from the committee.
Brittany Jones, Director of Policy and Engagements, Kansas Family Voice, provided testimony in support of HB2439 (Attachment3). When undergoing any medical procedure or taking a new medicine, the medical community provides the patient with all risks, likelihood of success and possibilities, except in the case of abortion. Over half of all abortions performed in Kansas are done using the abortion pill. During pregnancy, women are provided incredible amounts of information to keep the baby well. Yet opponents to HB2439 seek to limit information women receive about their options. Twenty-nine states, including Kansas, have abortion-specific informed consent laws that allow women to know about the risks and alternatives to abortion. The bill simply adds information to pre-existing informed consent laws about this method of abortion. Fourteen states have passed laws similar to HB2439. While abortion reversal may not work in all instances, women deserves to know their options.
The following provided written only testimony in support of HB2439:
Dr. Lisa Gilbert, Private Citizen (Attachment 4)
Lucretia Nold, Policy Specialist, Kansas Catholic Conference (Attachment 5)
Dr. Matthew Harrison, Private citizen (Attachment 6)
The following provided written only testimony in opposition of HB2439:
Katie Baylie, Director of Legislative Affairs, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes (Attachment 7)
Dr. Angela Martin, Private citizen (Attachment 8)
Dr, Valerie French, Private Citizen (Attachment 9)
Rebecca Tong, Co-Executive director, Trust Women Foundation (Attachment 10)
The hearing on HB2439 was closed.
