Legislators introduced a bill Friday barring physicians employed at Madison-based University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health from partaking or assisting in abortion procedures at private health organizations in Madison such as Planned Parenthood, according to The Daily Cardinal.
Here are five things to know about the legislation.
1. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) and state Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), specifically bans UW-employed physicians from engaging in abortion procedures. It also prohibits UW physicians and residents from training and learning to perform abortions at medical facilities outside of hospitals, including Planned Parenthood clinics in the Madison, Wis. area, according to the report.
2. Under Wisconsin law, physicians, hospitals, clinics or other health facilities may not receive state or federal funds for the purpose of performing abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or situations in which the mother's life is endangered. The bill introduced Friday operates under the same exceptions.
3. A spokesperson for the university said federal guidelines require the medical school to provide abortion-training services. Residents may choose to opt out of learning them, according to the report.
4. UW and Planned Parenthood formed an agreement in 2012 allowing faculty physicians to perform a number of services, including family planning, disease screenings and abortions.
5. Under the agreement, 10 faculty members provide their services to Planned Parenthood for 16 to 20 hours a week and receive $150 per hour in compensation, according to the report.