The following bill is based on this legislation-
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/110/hr3192/textPregnant Women Support Act
1- The purpose of this bill is to provide for programs that reduce the need for abortion, help women bear healthy children, and support new parents.
2- DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ON ABORTION.
(a) In General- Health facilities that perform abortions in or affecting interstate commerce shall obtain informed consent from the pregnant woman seeking to have the abortion. Informed consent shall exist only after a woman has voluntarily completed or opted not to complete pre-abortion counseling sessions.
(b) Accurate Information- Counseling sessions under subsection (a) shall include the following information:
(1) The probable gestational age and characteristics of the unborn child at the time the abortion will be performed.
(2) How the abortion procedure is performed.
(3) Possible short-term and long-term risks and complications of the procedure to be performed.
(4) Options or alternatives to abortion, including, but not limited to, adoption, and the resources available in the community to assist women choosing these options.
(5) The availability of post-procedure medical services to address the risks and complications of the procedure.
(c) Exception- This section shall not apply when the pregnant woman is herself incapable, under State law, of making medical decisions. This section does not affect or modify any requirement under State law for making medical decisions for such patients.
3- The terms "child" and "individual" as used by any state provider of health coverage shall include an unborn child
4- INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN.
`In the case of a woman who has had at least 12 months of creditable coverage before seeking individual health insurance coverage, such individual health insurance coverage, and the health insurance issuer offering such coverage, may not impose any preexisting condition exclusion relating to pregnancy as a preexisting condition, any waiting period, or otherwise discriminate in coverage or premiums against the woman on the basis that she is pregnant.'.
5- CONTINUATION OF COVERAGE FOR NEWBORNS.
`(a) Notification- In the case of a pregnant woman who is covered under a group health plan, or under group health insurance coverage, for other than family coverage, the plan or issuer of the insurance shall provide notice to the woman during the 5th month of pregnancy, during the 8th month of pregnancy, and within 2 weeks after delivery, of the woman's option to provide continuing coverage of the newborn child under the group health plan or health insurance coverage under subsection (b).
`(b) Option of Continued Coverage for Newborns- In the case of a pregnant woman described in subsection (a) who has a newborn child under a group health plan or under group health insurance coverage, the plan or issuer offering the coverage shall provide the woman with the option of electing coverage of the newborn child at least through the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date of birth of the child and no waiting period or preexisting condition exclusion shall apply with respect to the coverage of such a newborn child under such plan or coverage. Such continuation coverage shall remain in effect, subject to payment of applicable premiums, for at least such period as the Secretary specifies.'.
6- GRANTS FOR THE PURCHASE OR UPGRADE OF ULTRASOUND EQUIPMENT.
`(a) In General- The Secretary may make grants for the purchase of ultrasound equipment. Such ultrasound equipment shall be used by the recipients of such grants to provide, under the direction and supervision of a licensed medical physician, ultrasound examinations to pregnant women consenting to such services.
7- SERVICES TO PATIENTS RECEIVING POSITIVE TEST DIAGNOSIS FOR DOWN SYNDROME OR OTHER PRENATALLY DIAGNOSED CONDITIONS.
It is the purpose of this section, after the diagnosis of an unborn child with Down syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed conditions, to--
(A) increase patient referrals to providers of key support services to assist parents in the care, or placement for adoption, of a child with Down syndrome, or other prenatally diagnosed conditions, as well as to provide up-to-date, science-based information about life-expectancy and development potential for a child born with Down syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed condition;
(B) provide networks of support services described in subparagraph (A) through a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention patient and provider outreach program;
(C) improve available data by incorporating information directly revealed by prenatal testing into existing State-based surveillance programs for birth defects and prenatally diagnosed conditions; and
(D) ensure that patients receive up-to-date, scientific information about the accuracy of the test.
8- GRANTS FOR INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ASSIST PREGNANT WOMEN IN CARRYING THEIR PREGNANCIES TO TERM AND TO ASSIST NEW PARENTS.
(a) Grants- The Secretary may make grants to States to increase public awareness of resources available to pregnant women to carry their pregnancy to term and to new parents.
(b) Use of Funds- The Secretary may make a grant to a State under this section only if the State agrees to use the grant for the following:
(1) Identification of resources available to assist pregnant women to carry their pregnancy to term or to assist new parents, or both.
(2) Conducting an advertising campaign to increase public awareness of such resources.
(3) Establishing and maintaining a toll-free telephone line to direct people to--
(A) organizations that provide support services for pregnant women to carry their pregnancy to term;
(B) adoption centers; and
(C) organizations that provide support services to new parents.
