Counseling Ban and Gag Rule
Having access to information about the full range of reproductive options is key to making informed health care decisions. Counseling bans, also known as "gag rules," typically prohibit organizations that receive state and/or federal fund from counseling or referring women for abortion services, prevent doctors from treating their patients responsibly, and severely limit women's ability to make informed decisions. Women and their health care providers-not politicians-should make private medical decisions. The Wisconsin law mandates that no state, local, or federal funds passing through the state for pregnancy programs, projects, or services including family planning services may be used to refer or counsel for abortion, except referrals may be made if the procedure is necessary to preserve the woman's life. For example, a doctor working at a public clinic cannot refer a patient to an abortion clinic or tell the patient that abortion is an option. These laws especially affect low income women who may rely on public clinics for their health care needs and rural women that may only have a public clinic in their community. |
