TODAY (8/16) at 2:00 p.m., the Department of Public Health and Human Services will hold a public hearing via remote conferencing to consider the proposed adoption of HB 937 - Licensure of Abortion Clinics.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
Testify IN FAVOR of HB 937
You can submit WRITTEN comment until August 23rd.See below for HOW!
The Purpose:
The purpose of HB 937 is to require abortion clinics to be licensed in the same way that all other outpatient surgical centers are in the state of Montana. Currently there are no requirements for abortion clincs and they are performing outpatient surgeries.
The proposed requirements are basic health and safety standards that other outpatient surgical centers are required to meet, ie policies and procedures, medical doctor qualifications, maintaining staff and patient files, sanitation requirements, emergency procedures, anesthesia guidelines, a quality assurance program, infection prevention and control, safety standards, and an emergency plan. These are the sections covered in the proposed licensing rules.
Read the FULL proposed licensing requirements here: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/rules/37-1052pro-arm.pdf
The History
This is a bill that was passed at the legislature in 2023. Planned Parenthood sued the state, saying that this is unconstitutional because it infringes on a woman's right to privacy which includes a right to an abortion in the state of Montana. This is a legal hearing that will determine if HB 937 is constitutional (and should be enacted) or if it is unconstitutional (and it should NOT be enacted).
What To Do TODAY:
Attend the hearing via Zoom at 2:00 p.m...
Give public comment via Zoom at the hearing.
Submit a written comment if you cannot attend the Zoom. (Email hhsadminrules@mt.gov)
Giving public coomment is as simple as saying:
"I believe that abortion clinics should be required to be licensed just like every other outpatient surgery center in our state. I think it is a women's health issue to have these types of standards. Please enact this bill."
How to Access The Meeting:
Interested parties may access the remote conferencing platform in the following ways:
Join Zoom Meeting at: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/83348476453?pwd=QW00d0pkaEdOblZwbm5lelBsQ1BVUT09, meeting ID: 833 4847 6453, and password: 490712
Dial by telephone: +1 646 558 8656, meeting ID: 833 4847 6453, and password: 490712. Find your local number: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/u/kdQgXwAKfg.
Concerned persons may submit their data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing.
Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to: Bailey Yuhas, Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 4210, Helena, Montana, 59604-4210; fax (406) 444- 9744; or e-mail hhsadminrules@mt.gov, and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., August 23, 2024.
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