State law requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges in a local hospital or for those doctors to enter into agreements with a doctor that has admitting privileges. Planned Parenthood refers to these doctors as "backup physicians."
Legislation authored by Senator John Waterman, R-Shelburn, would require 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 is concerned that requirement would leave backup physicians vulnerable to harassment. An amendment offered by Senate Democrats would have removed the requirement.
Senator Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, says she supports that change.
"Quite honestly, if you don't remove this language, it just puts doctors and their families at risk," she says. "These are doctors that don't even perform the abortion."
Waterman says he wants the bill to remain in its current state and opposed the change. The amendment was defeated.