News in brief - Oct. 17, 2005

Pennsylvania Medical Society declares neutrality on patient safety bill - Judge declares Michigan late-term abortion law unconstitutional - Lawsuit filed seeking injunction against new Missouri abortion law

Pennsylvania Medical Society declares neutrality on patient safety bill

The Pennsylvania Medical Society is remaining neutral for now on a bill that would mandate 20% liability premium discounts for physicians who implement patient safety plans.

While doctors strive to keep patients safe, there are other factors to consider when looking at the legislation, medical society President William W. Lander, MD, told the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Insurance Committee. A mandate that doesn't offer a benefit for insurers could drive the companies out of the state, he said.

The bill would earn the medical society's support if "someone could provide indisputable proof that it would generate a 20% savings in premiums," Dr. Lander said.

Judge declares Michigan late-term abortion law unconstitutional

A federal judge last month declared the Michigan law banning so-called "partial-birth" abortions unconstitutional, saying the law does not protect the health of pregnant women.

U.S. District Judge Denise Hood also ruled that the law's language was vague "and does not place the physicians on notice regarding what actions on their part will constitute a violation of the act."

The law, passed last year, was challenged by several family planning groups, including Northland Family Planning Clinic and Planned Parenthood Mid-Michigan Alliance. They argued that the law left many terms undefined. One example is a provision requiring a physician to wait until a woman is in "imminent" danger before performing dilation and extraction.

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox's office was reviewing the decision "with the intent to appeal," said spokeswoman Allison Pierce.

Lawsuit filed seeking injunction against new Missouri abortion law

Two Planned Parenthood affiliates filed a lawsuit last month seeking an injunction against a new Missouri law that would create civil liability for people who help minors get an abortion without parental consent.

Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri and Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region argued the law should not be enforced because it would discourage teens from seeking help from trusted adults other than their parents and it would leave a critical access-to-care gap in the state.

The law requires physicians who are performing abortions to have privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of where the procedure is performed.