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Arkansas Senate Passes Informed-Consent Bill for RU-486

Mar 31, 2021Jerry CoxAbortionAbortion, Arkansas Legislature

*Sen. Flippo explains H.B. 1572 in the Arkansas Senate.*

On Tuesday the Arkansas Senate passed H.B. 1572 by a vote of 29 to six.

H.B. 1572 is a good, pro-life bill by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R – Springdale) and Sen. Scott Flippo (R – Mountain Home). The measure previously passed the Arkansas House of Representatives.

As we have written before, H.B. 1572 outlines the informed-consent process for chemical abortion drugs like the RU-486 regimen.

Arkansas’ already has some of the best informed-consent laws for abortion of any state in the country.

However, current laws are geared primarily for surgical abortion procedures. With the rise in chemical abortion drugs like RU-486, Arkansas law needs to address drug-induced abortions as well.

H.B. 1572 will help ensure women get all the facts about chemical abortion — including its risks, its consequences, and its alternatives.

H.B. 1572 will save the lives of unborn children by helping women know their options besides abortion.

The bill now goes to the governor to become law. Read H.B. 1572 Here.

Below is a breakdown of the senate vote on H.B. 1572.

The Following Senators Voted FOR H.B. 1572

B. Ballinger
Beckham
Bledsoe
Caldwell
A. Clark
B. Davis
J. Dismang
L. Eads
J. English
Flippo
T. Garner
Gilmore
K. Hammer
J. Hendren
Hester
Hickey
Hill
Irvin
M. Johnson
B. Johnson
M. Pitsch
Rapert
Rice
B. Sample
G. Stubblefield
J. Sturch
D. Sullivan
Teague
D. Wallace

The Following Senators Voted AGAINST H.B. 1572

L. Chesterfield
Elliott
S. Flowers
K. Ingram
G. Leding
C. Tucker

These Bad Bills Weaken Arkansas’ End-of-Life Laws

Mar 30, 2021Jerry CoxEuthanasia and Assisted SuicideArkansas Legislature, Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, Life

Two bad bills are up for consideration at the Arkansas Legislature: H.B. 1685 and H.B. 1686.

H.B. 1685 amends the Arkansas Healthcare Decisions Act.

H.B. 1686 amends the state’s Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act.

Among other things, H.B. 1685 makes it easier for healthcare providers to deny a dying person food or water.

H.B. 1686 inserts a vague and subjective definition of “terminal illness” into state law.

Both bills would make it possible for patients and their families to work through decisions about end-of-life care and life-sustaining treatment without the help of a physician.

Arkansas has excellent laws governing end-of-life medical care. H.B. 1685 and H.B. 1686 weaken these good laws.

Below are additional points to consider.

Current Law

Arkansas’ Healthcare Decisions Act outlines how patients and their family members make end-of-life healthcare decisions.
Arkansas’ Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act lets patients work with a physician to document their life-sustaining treatment wishes.
Physicians are involved in decisions made under the Healthcare Decisions Act and the Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act.
State law is careful to note that a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment form is not intended to replace an advance directive.

What H.B. 1685 and H.B. 1686 Would Do

H.B. 1685 makes it easier for healthcare providers to withhold food and water from a patient who is dying.
H.B. 1686 inserts a vague and subjective definition of “terminal illness” into state law.
- The definition is very similar to one found in a 2019 physician-assisted suicide bill that the Arkansas Legislature defeated.
- A number of medical conditions could be considered “terminal illnesses” under this bill.
Under these bills, Arkansans may never see a physician when making critical end-of-life decisions. They could die without ever seeing a physician.
Under H.B. 1686, patients may not work with a physician when completing a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment form.
H.B. 1686 strikes language in existing law clearly stating that a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment form is not intended to replace an advance directive.

Additional Points to Consider

Arkansas has excellent laws that provide patients and their families with protection and assistance near the end of life. H.B. 1685 and H.B. 1686 weaken those good laws.
These bills do not ensure that physician assistants and advance practice registered nurses have the training or the experience to assist patients and their families with end-of-life decisions.
It is inappropriate for healthcare professionals other than physicians to complete a Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment form with a patient.

See How Your Senator Voted: Protecting Children From Sex-Change Surgeries

Mar 30, 2021Jerry CoxLGBTArkansas Legislature, LGBT

On Monday the Arkansas Senate Public Health Committee passed H.B. 1570, the Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act.

This good bill by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R – Springdale) and Sen. Alan Clark (R – Lonsdale) prohibits sex-reassignment procedures on children in Arkansas.

Gender-reassignment surgeries can leave children sterilized and scarred for life. Medical researchers do not know the long term effects these procedures and therapies can have on kids. That is why many people equate them with experimenting on children.

H.B. 1570 will protect children in Arkansas from these dangerous procedures.

Below is a breakdown of how each senator voted on H.B. 1570.