[Kansas] Governor vetoes bill on abortion clinic standards

Topeka Capital Journal ^ | 4/22/03 | John Hanna

[madprof98]

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius vetoed a bill Monday that would set minimum health and safety standards at abortion clinics, saying medical personnel -- not legislators -- should develop such rules.

House Speaker Doug Mays promised to seek to override the veto when the Legislature returns April 30 from a long recess.

Abortion opponents had pushed the legislation, framing it as a public health measure. Critics said the real goal was to close abortion clinics -- there are seven in Kansas -- or make their services too expensive for many women.

The bill orders the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to set minimum standards for clinics' supplies, equipment, lighting and ventilation as well as minimum sizes of interview rooms, bathrooms and dressing rooms.

In addition, the bill requires that every clinic have a doctor as its medical director; have a female staffer present during any procedure done by a male doctor; and have ultrasound equipment if it offers abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy.

Sebelius said Kansas already sets high standards for medical care.

"The health care facilities addressed in this bill are already subject to those high standards," the Democratic governor and former state insurance commissioner wrote in her veto message to legislators.

"I have long fought to make sure that doctors and patients, not insurance companies and not the Kansas Legislature, make decisions regarding an individual's health care procedures," she wrote.

Although Sebelius supports abortion rights, Mays said the veto was a surprise.

"It really wasn't what I would call an unreasonable piece of legislation," said Mays, R-Topeka.

Asked whether an override would be attempted, Mays said, "You can just count on it."

Overriding a veto requires two-thirds majorities in both legislative chambers -- 27 votes in the 40-member Senate and 84 votes in the 125-member House. The bill had been passed on votes of 24-16 in the Senate and 87-33 in the House.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley predicted that Sebelius' veto would be sustained.

"I don't think we need to single out one particular procedure" for additional regulation, said Hensley, D-Topeka.

[madprof98]

"I have long fought to make sure that doctors and patients, not insurance companies and not the Kansas Legislature, make decisions regarding an individual's health care procedures," she wrote.

Another one of those "devout Catholic politicians" we've grown so accustomed to.

[hometoroost]

So, the safe portion of "safe and legal" is optional. It's nice to see that they won't let health and safety get it the way of a "women's safety and health" issue.

[axel f]

Lovely.

[zerosix]

Yeah, Kansas doesn't let my hairstylist operate without oversight nor the lady at the mall who pierces ears get by without big brother checking regularly but regulate abortion industry . . . nah, not necessary.

The Dental Hygenists cannot clean my teeth without government oversight but perform a partial-birth abortion - no problem.

No double standard here.

[MHGinTN]

You make a very good point. This woman's veto is to serve a constituency she doesn't want to rile up ... it has nothing to do with gov't oversight of health facilities or abortion to her, just a way to keep fires from popping up when /if she took a ,oral or principled stance on legislation. She's a despicable ... oh, never mind. Her ilk are the reason this holocaust has gone on for so long and slaughtered so many.

[RAT Patrol]

The Wichita Eagle worded is "special standards" (or something like that). Their headline left a very different impression. Funny how the story can be manipulated with just a headline change. Here it is: The governor stops a provision aimed at a KU sexuality class. She also vetoes a bill applying special standards to abortion clinics.

God forbid we have standards for abortion clinics. The pro-abort crowd is just knee-jerk in their response to ANYTHING on the subject.

[A-teamMom]

How do you keep yourself from getting discouraged? I just had a nasty exchange (on the thread about NOW backing off their statements on the Peterson case) with someone whose heart was closed to the idea of human life as sacred.

[RAT Patrol]

So, the safe portion of "safe and legal" is optional In Kansas it is.

[jonefab]

Hey, we elected The Hitlery clone for our gov., I still cannot believe it. This is just the beginning. She also has vetoed, for her trial lawyer buddies, a bill that would have helped tourism in Kansas similar to what Colorado has as far a riding horses and other agriclulture based tourism.

PING Kansas

[RAT Patrol]

I hope every one is writing this stuff down. She will not be able to pretend she's a conservative next time.

[RAT Patrol]

Where was all this concern for academic freedom when the issue was creation science?

[hometoroost]

I like your tagline. My only comment is that government can only give an American a dollar by taking at least a dollar seventy-five from another American.

[RAT Patrol]

You're right, but it's a Walter Williams quote so I'll leave it as is. You're absolutely right, though.

[axel f]

a bill that would have helped tourism in Kansas similar to what Colorado has as far a riding horses and other agriclulture based tourism.

Which bill was that? And what was her reasoning there?

[dd5339]

Guess we need to talk to Senator Bob and Representative Lee about this. Let them know we need to over-ride this veto and the one she line itemed regarding cutting funding for KU's kiddie porn class.

Semper Fi

[rwfromkansas]

I am not surprised, sadly.

The idiots in this state have brought it upon themselves. Luckily, I don't watch the local news much so I don't know all that Sebelius is doing.

[rwfromkansas]

She used her line item veto on that KU bill?

What a horrible woman (I used to think she was a nice lady at least; what crazy person was I).

[rwfromkansas]

I doubt fellor RPer Bob Lyon will be able to do much here, but it is worth a shot.

[Renatus]

I worked very hard to defeat her but failed. Even my own family "spit in my face" and voted for this anti-life b&tch.

[axel f]

She used her line item veto on that KU bill?

She sure did. Here is an article about that, including an interesting quote about a video shown in that class.