On February 19, 1999, the Utah Senate defeated the "Pill Bill." The Utah Manufacturer's Association and National Federation of Business opposed it, arguing the mandate would force small companies to drop voluntary health insurance altogether, or cause larger companies to cut back on other health benefits or raise the share paid by the employee.

States Consider Laws Against Discrimination in Genetic Testing  
Michigan is among a number of states where legislation has been introduced that would ban genetic testing as a precondition for obtaining health insurance or employment. While it is true that you and I need protection against discrimination based on genetic test results (once blood or urine is drawn, for example, a genetic test can be performed), we are concerned that these laws do not include protections for unborn babies. We think it is imperative that unborn offspring be specifically included in the language of the bills in question, so that a pregnant mother cannot be forced to have her unborn baby undergo a genetic test as a precondition for receiving health insurance for the baby pre- or post-delivery or, if the mother consents to a genetic test on her unborn baby, that the results of the test cannot be used in any way to discriminate against the child in health care or insurance. Has an Anti-Discrimination in Genetic Testing bill been introduced in your state? Does it specifically include unborn babies in its protection?

Kansas Legislature Considers New Parental Consent Law 
Republican state Rep. Becky Hutchins has introduced a new parental consent law that would allow the judicial bypass only in cases when parents had not been informed of the pregnancy. If a parent refused to approve the abortion, a judicial bypass would not be an option for a pregnant teen.

Current law, like most parental consent laws, allows a minor girl to obtain an abortion, even if her parents oppose it, as long as a judge rules she is "mature enough" to make the decision to abort without her parents permission. In addition, the new law would absolve the parents of financial responsibility if their daughter obtains an abortion without their consent.