Planned Parenthood says changes made to a bill regulating physicians who perform abortions alleviate their concern about the legislation.
Indiana law requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital or for those doctors to enter into agreements with a doctor who has admitting privileges.
Planned Parenthood refers to these doctors as “backup physicians.”
Proposed legislation would have required backup physicians to have proof of their admitting privileges on record with the state Department of Health, which would make that information available to the public.
Planned Parenthood raised concerns that requirement would leave backup physicians vulnerable to harassment. The House Public Policy Committee Tuesday changed the bill, allowing the Department of Health to redact the physicians’ information.
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky Vice President Liz Carroll says the change improves the bill.
“You facilitated discussion among the interested parties," Carroll says. "You’ve listened to the voices who have been concerned about physician safety and we very much appreciate that.”
Pro-life groups say they’re supportive of the bill, noting that it still makes certain abortion clinics have written agreements with local doctors – which they say helps ensure patient safety.
The bill now heads to the House floor.
