Lady Legislators

State Representative Kelly Cassidy
(D)—Illinois

Amendment to HB 4085; introduced 22 Feb. 2012

- Introduced an amendment requiring men seeking medication for ED to receive from the physician, in person, orally and in writing, information on all of the potential medical risks. Would require men to watch a “horrific video” about the side effects of Viagra before they received a prescription for the drug.

- “If we were to require informed consent for potential erectile dysfunction patients on the potential side effects and treatment of those side effects, it would be a reasonable balance,” Rep. Cassidy said.

State Senator Janet Howell
(D)—Virginia

Amendment to SB 484, introduced 26 Jan. 2012

- Introduced an amendment that would have required men to receive a digital rectal exam and pass a cardiac stress test before doctors wrote them a prescription for erectile dysfunction medication.

- “We need some gender equity here,” Howell said.

- The Virginia Senate rejected her amendment, but both chambers passed the ultrasound requirement after clarifying that women would not be forced to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound.

State Senator Constance Johnson
(D)—Oklahoma

Amendment to SB 1433; introduced in Feb. 2012

- Introduced an amendment declaring “any action in which a man ejaculates or otherwise deposits semen anywhere but in a woman’s vagina shall be interpreted and construed as an action against an unborn child.”

- Senator Johnson said that her amendment points out the “absurdity, duplicity and lack of balance inherent in the policies of this state in regard to women.”

State Representative Yasmin Neal
(D)—Georgia

Bill, HB 1116; introduced 21 Feb. 2012

- Bill would ban all vasectomies in Georgia except in cases where the man faces serious health risks without one.

- The bill states, “Thousands of children are deprived of birth in this state every year because of the lack of state regulation over vasectomies. It is the purpose of the General Assembly to assert an invasive state interest in the reproductive habits of men in this state and substitute the will of the government over the will of adult men.”

- “No one ever talks about the male side of the issue. We just want them to know how it feels just this once,” Rep. Neal said.

State Representative Stacey Newman
(D)—Missouri

Bill, HB 1853; introduced 29 Feb. 2012

- The bill would only allow a vasectomy to be performed “to avert the death of a man or avert serious risk of…physical impairment,” and no regard would be given to the man’s desire to father children.

- “If we are going to seriously restrict access to birth control used by over 98 percent of Missouri women and widely used since 1960, then it’s only fair we legislate men’s access as well,” said state Rep. Newman

State Senator Nina Turner
(D)—Ohio

Bill, SB 307; introduced 6 March 2012

- The bill includes provisions to document that erectile dysfunction symptoms are not psychological and would guide men to make the right decision for their bodies. Physicians would be required to obtain a second opinion from a psychological professional to verify that a patient has a true medical malady before the medication could be prescribed. Notarized affidavit from a sexual partner would be required to attest to impotence. Outpatient counseling and stress test required, as is exposure to alternative forms of treatment for ED, such as natural remedies and abstinence as a positive lifestyle choice.

- “The men in our lives, including members of the General Assembly, generously devote time to fundamental female reproductive issues—the least we can do is return the favor. It is crucial that we take the appropriate steps to shelter vulnerable men from the potential side effects of these drugs,” Senator Turner said.