Abortion Bills Rejected

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...The House Health and Welfare Committee voted 9-5 Thursday, rejecting a proposal that would have required doctors to allow women seeking abortions to see ultrasound images. Its sponsor, Senator Joe Bowen, R-Owensboro, said it would ensure women receive vital information needed to make their decisions. The perennial bill, sponsored by a series of senators over the years, has routinely passed the Republican-controlled Senate only to die in the Democratic-led House. It was not the only anti-abortion bill that died in the committee Thursday. Others would have required a face-to-face consultation with medical providers and would have barred abortions in instances where doctors hear fetal heartbeats.