Lawmakers in Assembly to vote on abortion consult bill

MADISON (AP) -- The Wisconsin state Assembly plans to vote on a bill that would require a doctor to give a woman a physical exam and be in the room with her when handing out drugs to induce an abortion.

The measure up for a vote Thursday also would require doctors to speak privately with women at least 24 hours before performing an abortion to determine whether they had been coerced into having the procedure done.

Doctors who break the law could be charged with a felony.

Proponents say it's designed to ensure women aren't pressured into getting an abortion and that doctors aren't doing consultations remotely via webcams.

Opponents argue that given that webcam consultations aren't currently done in Wisconsin, the true intent is to make it harder to get an abortion.