Doonesbury Weighs In On Texas Law Requiring Sonograms Before Abortions

Have you seen the Doonesbury comic strip that follows a woman in Texas as she goes to a health clinic?

The doctor who greets her reads from a statement: "On behalf of Governor Rick Perry, may I welcome you to your compulsory transvaginal exam..."

Many newspapers found the content offensive and pulled the strip; others are running it.

Texas' New Law

Garry Trudeau is highlighting a law in Texas which requires women to receive sonograms before an abortion.

While the spotlight has been on Virginia when it comes to women's health care, Texas has had this law since last spring.

It requires women seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound that can hear a fetal heartbeat, and in some early stages of pregnancy that means  the use of the 10-inch vaginal wand that was so controversial in Virginia.

Funding Cuts For Women's Clinics

Texas has also been in a battle over federal funding for women's clinics.

Starting Wednesday, the state will be cut off from federal money that funds 90 percent of Medicaid health programs for women, because many of those women get care in Planned Parenthood clinics--clinics that don't provide abortions in Texas.