Doctors in Pa. can't perform pelvic exams without consent, new law says

[FakeNoose]

Inquirer link: https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/pelvic-exam-prostate-rectal-law-ban-pennsylvania-20231124.html

HARRISBURG — All Pennsylvania medical providers will soon be required to get consent before conducting any pelvic, rectal, or prostate exams on patients under anesthesia.

While some regional medical institutions have banned the practice, there was no statewide ban to prevent physicians or medical students from conducting invasive pelvic exams, even when they were not medically necessary. The once-common practice has widely declined in recent years due to national attention on the issue, but Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D., Philadelphia) said it was still important for Pennsylvania to have a statewide policy because it has many teaching hospitals.

Pennsylvania’s legislature passed the bill last week and joined more than 21 states that have already banned pelvic exams without informed consent. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bill Tuesday, and it will take effect Jan. 19 — 60 days after the signing.

“It’s what I consider a ‘Duh’ piece of legislation, where people are like, ‘How is this not already law?’ ” said Rep. Liz Hanbidge (D., Montgomery), who authored the bill with Fiedler.

- more at link -

Why on earth have the Repukes been fighting this legislation for over 10 years? It's a no-brainer and many women patients have suspected their privacy was violated while they were under anesthesia. It's more likely to happen in a teaching hospital, where 92% of former medical students say they've done pelvic exams on patients who where anesthetized. Most of the victims have been women.