Gov. Charlie Crist vetoes anti-abortion measure requiring ultrasound

Gov. Charlie Crist today vetoed a highly controversial bill that would have required women seeking abortions to pay for ultrasounds before undergoing the procedure, saying it would "violate a woman's right to privacy."

The veto sparked a firestorm of criticism from the Republican legislators, members of the governor's former party, who accused him of abandoning principle for political gain.

Crist, though, said that while people hold strong opinions on abortion, "personal views should not result in laws that unwisely expand the role of government and coerce people to obtain medical tests or procedures that are not medically necessary."

"This bill presents an inappropriate burden on women seeking to terminate a pregnancy," the governor wrote in his veto message, likely his final one as governor.

The bill (HB1143), which passed along party lines in the closing days of the spring legislative session, would have required ultrasounds before first-trimester abortions, when more than 90 percent of abortions occur. The state already requires ultrasounds before second- and third-trimester abortions.

Women would have had to view images of the ultrasound and hear a description of the fetus unless they signed a refusal form. Women who became pregnant from rape, incest, human trafficking or domestic violence would have had show proof they fit the criteria before being able to opt out of the ultrasound requirement.

A 2008 legislative survey found that of Florida's 62 licensed abortion clinics, 51 already require ultrasounds before first-trimester abortions.

There were 95,586 abortions performed in Florida in 2006, with 86,938 of those happening in the first trimester.